What is so funny is that they themselves do give the answer of the believe of faith in Christ Jesus.

Because if you do not believe that he is the Son of the Father, than his death and resurrection is meaningless.
His miracles become more parlor games than true acts to bring people to understand the Divine Love of the Father . {Comment of the writer of Alpha}

Writing that a person has to believe that Jesus is the son of the Father, by which they should mean ‘son of God’, they themselves seem not to believe that, because they believe Jesus is the Father himself, Jesus to be God himself. They also neglect what God Himself says about Jesus or they insinuate that God is not telling the truth when He says Jesus is His only begotten son.

They also do make a clown of God because God Himself tells us that He is the One and Only Oneeternal God, to Who man can do nothing and to Whom death can do nothing, because He can not die. Saying that Jesus is God either makes that Jesus faked that he was afraid of man and afraid of death as well as that God did as if He died and did as if He was taken out of the dead after so called having resided for three days in hell. Because God cannot die they also nullify the act of their god Jesus because than Jesus would not have to be afraid of death, knowing that death can do nothing to him and that it is nothing for him to walk around or to hover over the world again afterwards. God is almighty and no power can do what He can do or destroy HisPower.

Christadelphians do believe Jesus had all reasons to be afraid of what would happen, because he knew his death was near. He knew that Judas has done treason to him and delivered him to the ones who where against him and really could do something against him because he was a man of flesh and blood. If he was God he did not have to worry because God knows everything and God knows that man can do Him nothing. But Jesus, not being God, had to trust his heavenly Father, counting on Him that after his death he would have still a possibility to do something or to live. Jesus believed in the promises of his heavenly Father and wants us also to believe in that Father, the Only OneTrue God.

Jesus did not know everything. He even did not know when he would come back to the earth. In case Jesus is God, Who knows everything, once more God would have not told the truth, which He Himself considers sinning, though we do know that God cannot sin and that Jesus also did not sin, so Jesus had to have told the truth when he said he could do nothing without his Father, did not know when he would return and did not know who would be seated next to him in the Kingdom of his heavenly Father, which he never called his kingdom.

Those who take Jesus to be God make a whole farce or circus of the act Jesus presented to mankind. They make not only a joke of the whole happening and of all the promises made by God in the previous years, they also by saying that there can not be any human who fulfils the Wishes of God, His commandments, insinuate that God could not create a perfectcreation because He created imperfect beings of which He knew they could not keep to His commandments though He asked it. Further they make of God a very cruel unjust God, because He let the people suffer for so many years and still keeps us suffering, though for Him it is nothing to make an end to all suffering and to recreate a world and human beings who are perfect and who do not have to suffer.

We do find it strange that those Christians also not question which use it all had having God coming to the world as a man? What was the use of all that charade and doing as if…? Why would God have to do that? What could or can it change? And most importantly why did He not create straight ahead a perfect world?

We have put our hope on this man who gave his life as a lamb for God, for us all. We do love him so much we do want to be part of his Body. Jesus invited all to become followers of him and to come in unity, putting on his armour becoming like him, like he is in the Father, we being in him. That does not mean that when we become in Christ and/or become in God, we would become Christ Jesus or that we would become God, like Jesus Christ in God does not mean Jesus being God. If that was the case we all would be God as well, when we are in Christ, in union with him.

The followers of Christ who wanted to be united in the Body of Christ and to be as brothers and sisters to each other sharing the brotherly love of Christ, do want to live in the Delphos or Delphia made by Christ. As such the Christa-Delphia or City of Christ we want to have as our home. In that city of Christ we also want to be delphoi or brothers. for such a reason Dr. John Thomas knew why he choose the name Christadelphians for his community of believers. Therefore also you may find in the world brothers and sisters in Christ who belong to a community calling Christadelphia, Filadelphia, Philadelphia, Brothers of Christ, Brethren of Christ, Christadelphes or similar.

We do hope you will be interested to look at the Bible and to look at what is really written in it, not holding fast to human doctrines but taking the Bible for what is really written in it, as being the infallible Word of God which we should follow.

When you come to see what is written in the Holy Scriptures we also do hope you shall come to see why it is so important to recognise what Jesus really has done for humankind. Once you come to know the real Jesus of Nazareth, Jeshua from the tribe of King David, who worshipped the Only Onetrue God of Abraham, you also with us would come to love to be partakers of his body, willing to live in the City of Christ, the Christadelphia.

Related articles

Baptized (activeinspiration.wordpress.com)
I don’t spend much time thinking that I was baptized into Jesus death, and what that means, I confess I should.
It is important to remember that in dying with Christ Jesus, the power that sustains our life is no longer our flesh, but the omnipotent power of God through Jesus the Christ.

Change is Scary! (dalerockwell.com)
Change is scary! Change is confusing! Change creates anxiety, fear and doubt! And for these very reasons, change is a wonderful opportunity!

Citizens Of Another World (birdchirp.wordpress.com)
True Christians are pilgrims and strangers in a strange land. Not only is our citizenship in heaven, but positionally we are now seated in Christ Jesus in the heavenlies. We are dead, and our lives are hid with Christ in God.

Yes, We Are Inconsistent Rascals (brokenbelievers.com)
The very fact you feel the Holy Spirit’s tug is evidence enough that you haven’t been permanently forsaken and ‘cast aside.’ You’ll need to take a step of faith however. Always remember— proximity to Jesus is always a good thing. Stay close, and watch the enemy flee.

Few characters have dominated human history quite like Jesus Christ. Christians believe that the Son of God was sent to Earth by his father in order to save the human race from their own sins. Other religions, including Judaism and Islam, dismiss this belief, however, and argue Christ was not the son of God at all.

Letting Go of Rejection (blessedmag2.wordpress.com)
Rejection: no human soul can enter this world and avoid it. Adam and Eve, the first parents of the human race, certainly felt the sting of rejection upon being driven out of paradise. Adam, created by God and in His image, rejected the One who named Him and gave him his identity. In doing so, Adam rejected himself. All was well until he believed the lie that says ‘you are less than who God created you to be.’ Rejection begets rejection.

The Object of the Cross (ronniedauber.com)
As Christians, we all know that Jesus is the Christ who came to take away the sins of the world. But did you know that salvation is not just a general observation—that it’s really personal? Did you know that YOU are reason He came—and that YOU were the object of the cross?

Meditation on John 11 Part 2 (garethbrandt.wordpress.com)
Three times it is mentioned that Jesus feels deep emotions. In verse 35—the shortest verse in the Bible—“Jesus wept.” In verses 33 and 38 it says that he was “deeply moved.” Jesus was in human anguish, yet also enraged against the enemy—death. Why does Jesus cry? Jesus cries in anger over what sin does to us. Jesus cries in anguish because of the sorrow of human separation. Jesus cries because he is fully human. He was made like us in every way. Jesus cries because we cry. Jesus cries with us.

One view of salvation mentioned in the Gospel is how sinners get an escape from the eternal consequences of their sins when they repent of their sins and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact this is profoundly true. To elaborate more on this, it can be said that God’s mercy for mankind was so great that He sent his only begotten Son Jesus Christ to atone for their sins on the cross. Therefore, anyone who is repentant of his or her sins and believes in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus on one’s own behalf has passed from death to life. So here the emphasis is on the sinners response towards Christ.

Why is our local preaching so unsuccessful while our overseas evangelism rises from strength to strength? It’s not that we don’t know how to evangelise, or that preaching the Gospel isn’t important to us. Instead I believe it’s because overseas mission work is largely unfettered by the restrictions of the pervading culture in our home ecclesias.

Western Christadelphia has developed habits which are now traditions, and because they’re traditions we’ve convinced ourselves that we’re not allowed to change them, and because we refuse to change we don’t improve, but because improvement involves change and change is forbidden, we end up congratulating ourselves for our stagnation.

In this regard we have become an institutionalised church, which is ironic because we spend a great deal of time criticising mainstream institutionalised churches for their slavish adherence to man-made traditions.

Overseas preaching I would imagine is largely funded by ecclesias in the UK, Australia etc. Yet in the North West of the UK there are many small, elderly ecclesias. When they are gone, so the funding for overseas preaching declines, and the same for other areas / countries.

We do have to be conscious about the many temptations the people in the economical well thriving countries get. Western Europe had many countries in the past which had successful missionary posts in the south part of the world. Most successful you could say was the Roman Catholic Church, which had placed their missionaries in nearly every part of the world.

In Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom, which were once missionary-sending nations we can see a turning point having people from the missionaries coming over to our regions to preach. After years of secularisation, a new poll has found that Christians in the UK are increasingly looking to the overseas church to help in the work of spreading the Gospel, and this we saw already happening a few years in Belgium were nobody really is interested in God.

In a 2012 survey of more than 1,100 UK Christians, 74% agreed that the UK needed missionaries from other countries to come and bring the Gospel to the people.
This figure was supported by 68% who stated that out of all the world’s regions, the UK should receive the highest priority for church mission, prayer and support.

The feeling among UK Christians is reflected in their giving, with a quarter of those surveyed saying they had started to give more generously to UK causes than to overseas ones. Though there are less people coming to church, having to go much further than in previous centuries because lots of the churchbuildings have closed down, are sold to the property market, to be converted in living quarters, cultural centres or shops.

In the UK more than 50 per cent of evangelical Christians felt that immigration had benefited the church over the last 50 years, while nearly all (95%) said they felt they could learn from and be inspired by the church overseas.
Three-quarters of those surveyed said their own church gave significant support to an overseas church, while 76 per cent said that the Olympics were an excellent way to communicate the Gospel.

The strong awareness of mission reflects the results of a poll in 2011 in which 90% of Christians said believers should be actively involved in evangelism. However, the poll found that only 60% of those surveyed were actually doing it.

“As a nation we are quite comfortable showing both reservation and determination in equal measure,”

“But when you are blessed with this tension in your identity it’s no surprise that, though we are eager to be evangelists, we do struggle with it. It explains why Christians might look to the overseas Church when they hear it confidently spreading the Gospel despite often being victims of intense levels of religious persecution.

“But we must accept overseas missionaries as a gift and let them inspire us. We need to increase our confidence in speaking about our faith and also asking ourselves ‘what can I do today in my own church that weaves the values of Christianity into our local communities?'”

Lots of people have grown away form the real lifestyle Jesus had in mind. Christendom has taken an other track than the first Christians of Christianity.

In 355 CE Julian the Apostate (a pagan Roman emperor) who was given an education that combined Christian and Neoplatonic ideas, attempted to restore paganism as the state religion. He openly acknowledged that Christianity was the most popular religion of the time. Paganism was dying, mainly because it had become insular and complacent.

This is how Julian described the problem:

‘Why then do we think that [basic religious devotion] is sufficient and do not observe how the kindness of Christians to strangers, their care for the burial of their dead, and the sobriety of their lifestyle has done the most to advance their cause? Each of these things, I think, ought really to be practised by us.

It is not sufficient for you alone to practice them, but so must all the priests in Galatia without exception. For it is disgraceful when no Jew is a beggar and the impious Galileans [Julian’s name for the Christians] support our poor in addition to their own; everyone is able to see that our fellow believers need our help.’

In the early times of Christianity the followers and lovers of Christ came together in each-others houses, in open public spaces or in caves and catacombs. they did not need a proper church-building like some people today think is the only way Christians can meet. Often you can find on the net people saying Christadelphians are no Christians because they do not meet and worship in ‘church’ but speak of a hall. They do often forget that when we do have a Christadelphian Hall, or a Kingdom Hall or a House of Hope and Glory, or speak about coming together in the Conference Room, or the Hotel, or ‘So-and-so’s house’ or any other private or public place, we are making church, having our ecclesia or Εκκλησία (ekklesia = in English “church” or meeting house) whilst ναός would mean temple in English, and therefore this also could sometimes be used as the name for our meeting place.

CBM meeting in one of the meeting rooms of the Leuven ecclesia. Not like in many other churches, parishioners sitting passive on church chairs or benches, in a Christadelphian ecclesia (ekklesia = church) all members of the community, present at the church-service, participate actively.

It is not because our “Christadelphian Hall” does not look like a Roman Catholic Church or in many countries does not look at all like a classic ‘Christian Church’ that our ecclesiae would not be ‘holding church’ and therefore not be Christian.

Lots of people do think because we deny the deity of Christ and deny the immortality of the soul there is no point the point of this “god” we serve. {Honor «god» and Queen of Heaven} Those people are also annoyed that the pontiff kissed the Koran/Quran and considers it to be a holy book and being part of the monotheist religions which honour the Only One God. For them it can not be that Allah (God) would be the God for all mankind and the God of the Jews, Christians and Muslims. Lots of times it are people who do not have the word Allah or allah in their language dictionary as a title given to an important person, like the angels, Moses, Pharaoh, Apollo, Zeus and many others in the Holy Scriptures are called in several languages allah or god, who do not understand the difference between a tittle and a name and ‘a god’ and ‘the God’.

Very confusing for many searchers of truth is the saying of certain bloggers that Jesus is 100% human but at the same time time he would be 100% God

In lots of western churches we can see that lots of pagan acts have been introduced and are common practice. They often expect other churches to do likewise, otherwise they can not be part of their system: “the church”. They overlook what God says about Himself and how He wants to be worshipped. God also speaks about His onlybegottenson, who also tells about his position opposite his heavenly Father. But they do not want to believe what those two Biblical characters say about themselves and the other and thrive on their Trinitariandogma‘s, convinced that all those who do not keep to their dogma‘s and rules do not belong to the church and even worse may not call themselves Christian. They better would look up in the Bible the Characteristics of a Christian.

Who are masquerading Christians when several so called Christians do say “He that denies God the Son, has strayed far away from the truth. Islam denies that God has a Son. “

The answers many Christadelphians and people who are not yet Christian get from so called Christians do let them take distance of that belief of those bloggers, also often because the writers of such blogs start often throwing with mud, threatening with damnation and the like, so that the readers not at all can feel the love Jesus preached and they would expect followers of such a pacifist teacher to have.

Two very important tasks given by that teacher is doing the Will of Jesus his heavenly Father, like Jesus did not do his own will, but only the Will of his Father, to whom Jesus prayed himself and learned others to pray to, and the other one is going out in the world in a peaceful manner to proclaim the Word of God and bringing the Gospel of the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God.

By most Christian blogs we can see that the focus is not at all at those points but more to bring people to their own ‘only right’ denomination.

The last few years we have seen that lots of preachers on the internet chose to do their own will and to press others in following their human teachings. When people visited their websites and wanted to go into discussion, they mostly wanted the other to take on their ideas. At first they may have greetings like shalom, but soon forgot what that really means and brought the visitors under pressure by threatening with damnation and eternal torture. Regularly those people in charge of those trinitarianformula blogs also not allow any normal open discussion about what is really written in the Bible, when it is not following their doctrine of three gods in one. On the other hand Christadelphians trying to discuss the Word of God in all serenity, often are being silenced by the Trinitarians. Those Christadelphians who have or had their own side or blog often are attacked by those who call themselves Christians. (You should see what for sorts words or awful language we get in our mailbox from so called Christians or with how many viruses they want to infect us.)

Many Christians seeing lots of denominations and being confronted by teachers who preach that all are saved by Christ and do not have to do any works for entering heaven, are then bombarded by priests, pastors, preachers, who say they may not do this or that and have to do so and so.

Strange enough even a denomination which in the previous centuries always demanded works of its believers, like first to regret what people had done, then to ask forgiveness of sins, coming to God by whitewashing of sins through baptism when they are old enough to consent, following this up by learning to master all passions, having to work to fulfil the wishes of God, following the commandments of God, has now preachers and pastors who call themselves the same as those in previous centuries: Baptist, but do preach no works are necessary any more. some Baptists seem to allow child baptism as well, contrary of the fundamental teachings of the original Baptists. (Uprooted Baptists their new idea of baptism) This when other Baptist preachers are real doom preachers.

Salvation to the Christadelphians is a process, is not given at the point of faith in Christ, is dependent upon “belief in the covenants,” good works and baptism.

Many denominational bloggers say that we are saved by faith alone, in Christ alone, but forget to see that Grace is given to all people of the world. Jesus died, in the knowledge that God can not die, for all people, not only for Christians, to pardon their sins. Though people have to come to accept Jesus as their saviour and have to live accordingly the Will of God and not according to the will of the world.

“For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

tells us that we might, but does not say “we are” the righteous of God in Christ. The Christadelphians do not say grace is not given for free, but they say we have to be careful not to lose that what is given to all people and therefore also to us, shall not be lost again because we would not live according the expectations for such gift. We must merit our salvation through our own efforts and can not blame others for our own faults.

“20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 21 I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.” (Galatians 2:20-21 ASV)

That passage tells us that the apostle Paul considered that Christ’s life showed him how, and enabled him to do it. He identified himself and advices us also to identify ourself completely with Jesus. Indeed, Paul considers himself to have been crucified with Christ. Because of that action of Jeshua, Christ the Messiah, Paul‘s ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that he appears righteous before the other disciples and followers of Christ or has their good opinion. He tells them he is no longer driven to impress God, because Christ lives in him. In such way he does not bring any works in front of God to impress others or God.The life the followers of Christ saw him living was not “his” but was lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved him and gave himself (Jeshua) for the apostle. The apostle did not want to explain that once again, because he had done that already several times in the past. So he would not going to go back on that. Also today for many is it not clear to them that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in the relationship with God. The apostle Paul refused to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. He says that “If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.” But he did not say we do not have to do anything to keep the salvation worthy and that we should not do anything to make sure we could be able to enter in the Kingdom of God. He knew enough parables or illustrations by Christ which tell us otherwise. He and the other first and chosen disciples by Christ in their letters wrote enough remarks about what we have to do to be able to protect ourself so that we shall be found righteous to enter the small gate to the Kingdom of God.

At one place those writers say no works are needed and a little-bit later they start asking requirements of their followers, even demanding money at collections.

False saying “True Christianity teaches salvation without works

The true Messiah wants to use what He has gifted you to His glory. He wants you to live a decent life, a life of balance, behaving holy and to be in peace.

Saying no works are needed to enter God’s Kingdom but at the same time saying:

The true Messiah wants to use what He has gifted you to His glory. He wants you to live a decent life, a life of balance, behaving holy and to be in peace.

which is demanding a change in our attitude or actions to be taken by us, works, this makes those words of “no work” hollow. Certainly when they see clergy who live a life not according to the Holy Scriptures, misusing their position and abusing youngsters, and seeing that they get away with it, protected by their hierarchy institutions and because of their political power, while ordinary people for the same actions would get in prison. Those preachers saying that no works have to be done, because we are saved, at the same time demand so many things from their flock and frighten them with hell, where people would have to undergo eternal torture. Others are excommunicated for things they have done wrong according to their church, though that church preaches no works have to be done, so how come someone dares to give a ruling above the rulings of Christ and God? Seeing those institution then putting themselves higher than the judge Jesus and higher than God, because they themselves say Jesus does not demand any works any more from us, but they themselves who say such a thing, exclude certain people when they did not do a certain work, made that many people lost trust in those churches and in general, in all religion.

It are such situations of aggressive preaching and misleading lots of people which makes it so much more the difficult to preach these days. People are torn between the heavy active Trinitarians which have so many divisions all countering each other. This not only confuses a lot of people, but those churches their attitude to non-believers and other believers makes them run away from such faith-groups.

Being so indoctrinated by the human dogmatic teachings, for non-trinitarians it has become very difficult to let people believe that their faithgroup is different and follows the teachings of the Bible. Lots of people have so much received areluctanceofanythingto dowithreligion and are made so frightened by those trinitarians which always preach

If you are in a Church which make you worship a false Messiah, You are lost, and will end up in the eternal punishment of Hell. You have been deceived by your priests and teachers, and you are in need of deliverance. {Honor «god» and Queen of Heaven}

Some of the visitors and blogwriters may question

Institutionalized religion…when did it become relevant and when did it stop? The central truth to Christianity is Christ and God’s inspired word. Once anyone steps away from that have stopped being relevant and started being religious. Jesus was not about religion but about a personal relationship.

The central truth to Christianity is Christ and God’s inspired word

But most people are not any more interested in that inspired and infallible Word of God. Not many want to take the Bible with them and compare what people are saying what it would say and what is really printed in the Bible.

Several non-trinitarian believers tried to have a look at the Scriptures with the other believers but in the end gave it up.

In Christadelphianism a lot of people are ‘believing it’ and resting on their laurels, believing or trusting that God will call those whom He wishes and will bring them to the community of faith, so they do not have to do anything. We are afraid that, like we can see in the trinitarian communities, not many are interested in preaching any more, the virus of easiness and luxury comfort has found its way also in the Christadelphian congregation. Not many are willing to Learn how to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News of the coming Kingdom. To spend time to try to convince others of our own belief seems for many a waste of time because people want to enjoy their own traditions and main doctrines which do not make themselves responsible for the choices they make.

In our community people do have to make their own choice and to take their own responsibility.This does not make our faith very attractive for others, because they can not hide behind a devil or other extraterrestrial or spirit creature.

We all may need a Relapse plan and notice how we are coming closer to the end-times and how the need of preaching becomes more important, fulfilling what is said in the New Testament about what shall happen in the Last Days. We do know than there would be more agitation against people who love God. Jesus also warned his followers they shall have to face lots of opposition and that there would be many who shall not be able to endure and run the race to the end (again an action to be taken or a work to be done, for those who still keep believing no works have to be done).

People are turning their back on Christianity in the times that many love to Kill the messenger. Too many are clinging their hopes and lives to the material gadgets and entertainment this world offers. Though there may be several people who do not mind sharing their material wealth, most people are afraid to let others look deep into their heart and to know what they believe about spiritual matters. Not many do want to let others know what they believe in in Whom they trust. Religion and Faith in a God is not spoken about any more in our communities. Christadelphia also suffers under the contentment of life by many. Lots of Christadelphians are pleased with their own situation, thinking it will be all right if they live well according to the bible’s teaching. Afraid of receiving negative reactions and seeing how the world loves to keep to its doctrinal teachings they have lost hope for change.

You can not find many who want to carry the “the victory banner” of their Kristos, their saviour who gave his life for our wrongdoings (sins).

The ones who really love Jesus Christ are those who not only look up at Jesus but are willing to follow Jesus, in what he believed and in what he preached and to follow up his requests, like going out into the world to preach the Good News.

In this world we not only need people to preach to non-believers, but also men and womenwhoareprepared to reach others a hand who are looking for values and the truth in this misleading world. to do such work in their own environment frighten lots of people because they than could be recognised by others doing such a work. Going overseas to many is more attractive because then they can enjoy adventure show off to others that they have been to such and such far away or exotic place, not telling straight away what they really went to do there.Preaching around the own house does not look so attractive than to go far away from home and to face new environments and get to learn new cultures, often in a more receptive environment than the one at home. It is that unreceptive environment which frightens most of us. It is much more difficult when you can face people who know you and your family, to tell about what you really belief and for which values you want to go in your life.Today it is like Dave Burke believes because overseas mission work is largely unfettered by the restrictions of the pervading culture in our home ecclesiae, that our local preaching is so unsuccessful not to say for certain places non-existent.

Much more work should be done to revitalise the feeling of need to go out of the Christadelphian Hall or parish building, to bring that important message the Nazarene Jew, from the tribe of King David came to tell the world. In each little circle, wherever there is one, two or hopefully more, those should not restrict their feelings and belief to their own house nor to their own small community of Christadelphian believers. They also should now that there is no need to have a specific church-building, like so many other preachers want people to believe, to make church. At the beginning of Christianity, the followers of Christ first came together in synagogues, temples, market squares and in their own private houses. today it should not be different. We still can come together, meeting in our own houses, with others, like minded and curious ones, to study the Bible, reading in it and discussing about what is read. We also do not need church-chairs or church benches in a typical church-building with tower, to pray and sing songs of praise, worshipping the Only One God.Peoplemay be accustomed by that idea of ‘church’ that they even say, like some preachers say, that we can not be a church because we do not have churches like they knowthemto be.It ishigh time that we show others what it really means to love Jesus and to respect what Jesus really did for humankind, so that sayings that Jesus hasto be God or otherwise we could not be saved shall be uprooted and provento be wrong.

Christadelphian ‘Church service in Heverlee- Leuven” – A nice place where we can be followers of Christ and enjoy God’s Word in peace, making church, though the meeting place not having such name “Church”, but in Heverlee-Leuven being called the “Quiz’inn”, in Nivelles called the “Service Station”, in Zaventem “By Frank”, in Tervuren “CC” (or cultural Center) or “Paepenblok” in Kraainem “Kingdom Hall”, and in Mons “At Steve’s” or “By Steve” plus in the “Kingdom Hall”.

Better to be part of a small faith-group which follows the teachings of the Nazarene Jew, about Whom God Himself said it is (Jehovah God) His son, than to go and sit in dark churches, where so many people can hide themselves and not have to participate in the service. Though are meeting places may not always look like what people are used to think off, by hearing the word ‘church’, we prefer such lighter places where those who gather come together in unity and peace, sitting easy and comfortable, to share their love for Christ Jesus and to study the Holy Scriptures and to enjoy together a time of worship and praise for the Only One God, Who is One, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah.

Jesus did not stop to give his life for many and though he even asked one moment why god had forsaken him, he always wanted and did the will of god. By such action of this man God accepted his ransom offering, for all mankind.

°°°°°

For those who want to see how Christadelphians are often silenced when they want to defend their believes
and do not get any opportunity to prove that they are no sect or cult and to proof what is really written in the Bible
please do find some excerpts of what went on at “Honor «god» and Queen of Heaven” (To give just one example)

Example of how people with other ideas are often silenced and not given a change to defend themselves against the accusations of them belong to a sect or cult, or not following the Bible.

EU declaration on One World Religion of good worksNoting that approximately 55 per cent of the world’s population is either Christian or Muslim; and that perhaps 80 per cent of the world’s population is either Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist or Confucian.
+
Acknowledging that despite the many irresolvable and unbridgeable theological and religious differences and disagreements between Judaism, Christianity and Islam, there is nevertheless a central and essential common ground of faith, hope and love between these three monotheistic and Abrahamic religions.
+

Believing, moreover, that all the peoples of the world are bound together not only by their common humanity and their common planet Earth, but also by either Love of God and Love of the Neighbour or Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour.

Supporting United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/65/PV.34 of October 20th 2010 establishing a voluntary World Interfaith Harmony Week as proposed by His Majesty King Abdullah II Ben Al Hussein of Jordan on September 23rd 2010 at the United Nations General Assembly, and calling for:

“The world’s people, in their own places of worship, could express the teachings of their own faiths about tolerance, respect for the other, and peace.”
– 16 December 2010; European People’s Party Summit; Castle of Bouchout, Meise, Belgium, Euorpean Union; On behalf of the European People’s Party Presidency, EPP President Wilfried Martens

+++

Related articles

Pantheon Demigods of Lucifer’s Church (mysteryoftheiniquity.com)
Pantheon Demigods of Lucifer’s (Roman Catholic) Church
Underneath the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican, they have mysterious items which have been kept for hundreds of years. These items reveal who and what these elite people of the R.C.C. worship.

The lady and the lewdest (jamaica-gleaner.com)
The local Roman Catholic Church is in a tizzy. Rumour has it the church is facing an identity crisis never before experienced within its righteous rectals (oops, sorry, rectories). The story on the road is that one of its own, a monsignor no less, was caught, in flagrante delicto, perpetrating heterosexual acts. Yes, you read right, this popular man of the cloth was found defrocking a member of the opposite sex. Exposed, the lady and the lewdist were excoriated by the lady’s husband.

How Churches Invest Their Money (mint.com)
The popular image of a church is that of a selfless organization unconcerned with financial gain. It is reflected in the fact that churches receive tax-exempt status from federal and state governments. And without question, most churches do engage in substantial charity work.But that doesn’t mean that churches are not, at least partially, money-making enterprises. Though official records are scarce, the world’s major churches are all believed to collect annual revenues in excess of several billion dollars. Like any other institution, these churches work hard to earn the highest possible return on their investments.

Irish Priest Comes Out: Gets Standing Ovation (lgbtlife.co.uk)
Delivering a sermon in which he expressed support for marriage equality, an Irish priest told his flock that he is gay. LGBT and allied Roman Catholic Churchstaffmay be keeping their perspective quiet in Florida (or facing discipline), but one gay Irish priest recently declared his identity loud and proud — and got a standing ovation from his parishioners.

Father Martin Dolan

According to the Irish Sun, which broke the story, Father Martin Dolan came out as gay last weekend during a sermon in which he supported equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in the Republic of Ireland, where a vote on the issue is slated for May. “I’m gay myself,” he said. The Dublin archdiocese declined comment on the matter pending discussion with Dolan, who is away on a previously scheduled vacation, reports the Belfast Telegraph.

One of the congregants who expressed support for Dolan was Liz O’Connor, who told the Sun, “We are all very proud of Father Martin. Because he has admitted that he is gay he doesn’t change the person that he was before it.”

Today the media use many words very careless. There exist a slipshod when they are talking about religion. Often they say “the Christians are doing this or are saying that” and mean “the Roman Catholic Church is doing this” or “the Roman church clergy is saying “. The same about the Muslims. They also are often presented as the fundamentalist combating groups, though not all the Islamic groups have the same jihad ideas as IS.

Today there are not many youngsters who can say they grew up with the Bible. We shall not be able to find many who from their earliest days got the words from the Holy Scriptures, Torah, Bible or Quran with the nursing bottle in their mouth. In many countries the Sunday Schools are something from the past, not known any more. At the present weekends are used to sleep in and to enjoy going to the shopping malls or to those cities where the shops are open on Sunday. Not many people go to visit on Saturday or Sunday a church or come together at a meeting hall of their local church or ecclesia. Many still may have been baptised, having done their first and second communion, but they actually do not belief in God and have no affinity with church at all.

Today not many are surrounded with people who show a deep appreciation for the God of gods. Not many learn from them to cherish the Divine CreatorHis word. Too few have the opportunity to take advantage of the warm encouragement of their believing parents and members of the religiouscommunity. They do not get constant opportunities to study and grow in understanding until their moment to come to the faith came. Faith in God does not have many opportunities in youngsters any more to develop smoothly. They do not find many examples which cause them to want to commit themselves to the Creator and His Truth. For many it seems to be too difficult to look for God. They do not seem to realise the closer we get to knowing how God chose to reveal Himself in those original languages of the original Scriptures, the closer we get to a more authentic understanding of His real message and His real person. To all of us the words and their contexts should be game-changers. There are not many who love to explore the history and cultural backgrounds of people and places in the Bible. they do not know there’s nothing quite like that moment when God finally opens your eyes to some little gem He hid in His word thousands of years ago… right there in plain sight, but tucked away just enough that before you really looked, you missed it without even noticing.

19th century

John Thomas

In the 19° century CE there was no television or so much entertainment to bring people away form taking time to think about the matters of life and to take time to readthe Bible. At that time there were not so many afraid to be a Bible reader. Fleeing from the misery in Europe, looking for better pastures, many Europeans found lots of time to read the Bible on the boat voyage to the New World. The young medic from England, John Thomas (1805 – 1871) whose father took up various pastorships including a congregation in London, when going for a prospect across the ocean, had enough time to read in the Bible and to discuss it with others from different denominations. When at a ferocious storm the ship lost the top of the main-mast and heavy seas stove in the bulwarks, washing everything moveable off the deck Dr. Thomas also feared, like many others, his life. He made a vow to dedicate his life, should he be spared, to religious study and to seeking out the truth about the matter of life and death.

After a change in wind direction, the captain was able to turn the ship back out to sea and to get it safe in a port. Thomas never forgot his vow and spent the rest of his life devoted to Bible study, determined to understand the true message of the scriptures. His efforts and several discussions with other Bible researchers or Bible students, got him to see that several preachers had some very good ideas but also some ideas which were not correct according to what was written in the Bible. He collected all the good ideas, or the teachings which were in accordance to the Biblical teaching. Holding fast on the testimony of the Scriptures, he wanted to follow Jesus Christ in not to chose for his own will and not for following human beings but to follow the Will of God and to live according to God His directions which could be found in the Word of God, the Bible. For him it was clear that God had given His Word to educate mankind and to give them insight in the Works of God and to let them understand the Plan of God.

Starting from the Word itself was what he found, should bring people to God. They should not have to get specialised scholars, theologians or clergy to bring God’s Word to the people and to educate them in what God wanted from man. everywhere in the world those who are willing to search in God ‘s Word can find the truth, according John Thomas and many other Bible Students.

For John Thomas it became also very clear that the Kingdom of God is to be sought for on the earth, at present occupied by the kingdoms of men – an earth which Jesus said the meek should inherit, which they never have done yet.

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 ASV)

“For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for Jehovah, they shall inherit {1} the land. {1) Or [the earth] (and so in verses 11, 22, 29, 34)}” (Psalms 37:9 ASV)

“But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalms 37:11 ASV)

For John Thomas it also became very clear that the Bible is more than just the New Testament, like so many churches only use some parts of those later books but forget to compare them with the Torah and the Book of Prophets or Nevi’im. They note that the apostles expounded the Kingdom of God from the prophets (Acts 28:23). They find Paul saying the gospel was promised in the prophets (Romans 1:2): and that in preaching the gospel,”he said none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22).

He also found that there is no immortalsoul in the Bible, because the soul is just the being of something, be it man, animal or plant, the life in it which comes forth from God and which God takes away at His time. For him a gospel which is contrived for the salvation of immortal souls cannot be the Bible gospel.

Those who do not want to accept that a man could really follow the Will of God and that no man can be tempted and not sin, do not belief in the possibility any human person can become like Christ, nor value that what Christ did. God cannot be tempted, but Jesus was tempted more than once, still he did not go in temptation and kept doing only the Will of his heavenly Father, even in the hour of his death, when he asked God to do His (Jehovah’s Will) and not his (Jesus’ will)

“saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42 ASV)

Jesus also learned his followers also to ask God to fulfil His will and not ours.

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.” (Matthew 6:10 ASV)

Therefore John Thomas saw the importance to look for the Kingdom of God in such a way that it would not go against God’s Wishes.

Getting others to preach

Like the disciples departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel (Luke 9:6) John Thomas went around the country preaching and encouraging several others who also went around preaching the Good News. Those going around tried to reach all sorts of people and get them to understand they had to become followers of Christ and to have themselves baptised by going under water. Though all should know that they had to be brought forth, or born again, by the holy spirit to become Jehovah’s spiritual sons. (John 1:12, 13; 3:5-7) Thomas considered himself just as a tool, like all Christians should become a tool in the hands of God, inviting others to the Truth so that they can being adopted by Jehovah as “sons,” and becoming Jesus’ brothers. (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5)

“For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 ASV)

“having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Ephesians 1:5 ASV)

No man, but Christ Jesus leader

Jesus called those who would make up the faithful slave class his brothers. Each of us should offer himself to become a slave for God. In the illustration about the separating of the sheep from the goats, Jesus clearly states that he takes personally the way we treat his brothers. In fact, he said that the determining factor that would distinguish a sheep from a goat would be the way an individual treated even “the least of these [his] brothers.” Therefore, the primary way that those with the earthly hope demonstrate their desire to be friends with Christ is by supporting the faithful slave class. Every person calling himself a Christian should share with others around him the hope to live on earth under God’s Kingdom, expressing their friendship toward Christ’s brothers by wholeheartedly sharing in the preaching work. Christ commanded his brothers to preach the good news worldwide. (Matthew 24:14)

Today it may look a little-bit disastrous. when looking around not many others than the Jehovah Witnesses can be found really taking up the task given by Jesus Christ to witness or to preach. The remaining ones of Christ’s brothers on earth today would be hard-pressed to shoulder that responsibility without the assistance of their other sheep companions. Really, each time members of the other sheep class engage in the preaching work, they help Christ’s brothers to fulfil their sacred commission.

We can not buy friendship with Jesus or Jehovah. Not the giving of some pennies or cents is going to buy you free. More important is what you are willing to do for God and how much time and energy you want to invest in that what Jesus asked his followers to do. Christians should as brothers and sisters love each other but also should want to have their brotherhood growing. Brothers in Christ have come to understand and experience love by helping each other to grow in the truth and to live sacrificial for our fellow believers, and not just be out for themselves. When they see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it they may not turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, they do have to do more than just talking about love. They have to practice real love in “deed and truth” (1 John 3:16-18).

Jesus continues to care for us not only through the oversight of loving shepherds but also by providing us with spiritual mothers and brothers and sisters within the congregation. (ReadMark10:29,30) which is made up by simple men and women who want to share their love and knowledge, and is guided by the elder people, while Christ always should stay the Head of the congregation

Robert Roberts

John Thomas invited all those who wanted to the Will of God to enter into covenant to live a new and promising life of loving effort for God’s glory. the problem in later years was that Robert Roberts (1839 – 1898) wanted to give John Thomas a higher place than he would ever wanted. Roberts had become convinced of the soundness of Thomas’ book Elpis Israel- An Exposition of the Kingdom of God wherein the “the hope of Israel” is explained. Thomas did not see, nor do the Christadelphians see, the book as inspired by God, but wanted to give more a deep and accurate study of The Bible.

In “the Ambassador of the Coming Age” the British journalist Robert Roberts took up the same cause as John Thomas did with his publication of “the Herald of the Kingdom”, which set out Bible teaching on the resurrection and the Kingdom of God. Roberts collected subscriptions and organised the distribution of John Thomas’ exposition of the Book of Revelation, Eureka (3 vols. 1861, 1866, 1868), in England, and (in time) many of his other works. Roberts raised the money to fund what would be the last trip of Thomas to England in May 1869. Toward the end of this trip, March 1870, Thomas made Roberts custodian of all his affairs in the event of his death, which occurred sooner than anticipated in 1871.

Robert Roberts considered John Thomas as “the Paul of the nineteenth century” in tribute to his ardent zeal and untiring labours in love of the Truth. Though Roberts was prominent in the period following the death of John Thomas in 1871, and helped craft the structures of the Christadelphian body his authoritarian attitude also made that there came to exist many different groups. For some brethren it was clear that Robert Roberts displayed a serious personality disorder. He was eager to disfellowship any person who had other ideas than him. The Christadelphian believers who slightly differed from his understanding of Bible teaching over trivial matters were rejected. His insecure, paranoid and inappropriate reaction to brethren who were his intellectual superiors, was a further manifestation of his inability to control failings in his own character. Today Roberts could be described as a control freak who easily felt threatened. Later at the turn of the 20° to 21° century another control freak (“the Man from the North”) also would take care that in several countries one group of Christadelphians could not meet with other Christadelphians because they are affiliated with the Christadelphian Bible Mission and do not want to give themselves to his own organisation.

Initially the denomination grew in the English-speaking world, particularly in the English Midlands and in parts of North America. In the early days after the death of John Thomas the group could have moved in a number of directions. Doctrinal issues arose, debates took place and statements of faith were created and amended as other issues arose. These attempts were felt necessary by many to both settle and define a doctrinal stance for the newly emerging denomination and to keep out error. As a result of these debates, several groups separated from the main body of Christadelphians, most notably the Suffolk Street fellowship and the Unamended fellowship.

Edward Turney

In 1873, the Nazarene Fellowship, led by Edward Turney of Nottingham, separated over the atonement. The division was relatively short-lived, however, with most of the 200 people who had left returning within the next few years. Following his death in 1879, Turney’s most active supporter, David Handley of Maldon, returned to the main grouping, and the group gradually nearly died out in the 19th century to become revived some decennial later.

Robert Ashcroft

Robert Ashcroft, a leading member, wrote an article which challenged Christadelphian belief in plenary inspiration and which, although he himself left, led to a division in the main body. One group formed over the inspiration of the Bible a new ecclesia which later met in Suffolk Street, Birmingham and therefore were referred to as the the Suffolk Street Fellowship. The group they had separated from, became known as the “Temperance Hall fellowship”.
J.J. Bishop and J.J. Hadley (d. 1912), then Thomas Turner, and finally Cyril Cooper (till reunion in 1957) edited their main magazine “The Fraternal Visitor“(1884–1957). The Temperance Hall-Suffolk Street reunion was closely followed by union in 1958 with the Shield fellowship (allied to the Suffolk Street fellowship) through an understanding expressed in a document called the Cooper-Carter Addendum. The Central fellowship in North America is often referred to as the Amended fellowship.

In 1898, the Unamended Fellowship separated as a result of differing views on who would be raised to judgment at the return of Christ.
The majority of Christadelphians believe that the judgement will include anyone who had sufficient knowledge of the gospel message, and is not limited to baptised believers. The majority in Britain, Australia and North America amended their statement of faith accordingly. Those who opposed the amendment in North America became known as the “Unamended fellowship” and allowed the teaching that God either could not or would not raise those who had no covenant relationship with him.

Photo of Williams around the age of 40 (circa 1887), first printed 1893 at the time of the Chicago for the World’s Columbian Exposition, in connection with Williams’ booklet The Great Salvation. Reprinted in the Christadelphian Advocate magazine following his death in 1913 and again in the ‘Life of Thomas Williams’ Christadelphian Advocate Publishing Committee 1974

Opinions vary as to what the established position was on this subject prior to the controversy. In North America those who continued to associate with Britain on the basis of the amended 1898 statement became known as the Amended Fellowship, in contrast to the Unamended Fellowship, who took their lead from the Christadelphian Advocate Magazine of Thomas Williams of Chicago.

20th Century

Many more people came to see the importance of Israel in God’s Plan and how the Israelites or the believing Jews would stay the chosen people who would find the city Jerusalem restored as the city of God. The other people than those born from the Judaic tribes might for ever stay “the foreigners” but they too shall have to play an important role in this system of times.

More brethren came to see that they as foreigners have a large part to play in Jehovah’s purposes during these last days. They come to the”spiritual Israel” of God in order to worship Jehovah. (Zechariah 8:23) With that spiritual nation, they offer acceptable sacrifices to God and enter into the sabbath resting. (Hebrews 13:15, 16) Moreover, they worship at God’s spiritual temple, which, like the temple at Jerusalem, is “a house of prayer for all the nations.” (Mark 11:17) But each house, every place can be a place of prayer. Everywhere people can worship God. There should not be build special places for worship. They may be a good asset or make the meetings more practical to have at regular times. But they are not a must to build a congregation of believers or to have an ecclesia working. In private or public places the brothers and sisters in Christ can come together and exercise their faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They should not serve people or their leaders, but should present them selves as slaves for God under Christ serving Jehovah constantly, “rendering him sacred service day and night.” (Revelation 7:14, 15).

In the 1950s Ernest Brady revived Turney’s cause and the Nazarene Fellowship.

Frank George Jannaway (London 1859-1935) was an English Christadelphian writer on Jewish settlement in Palestine, and notable for his role in the conscientious objector tribunals of World War I. He gave regular public lectures at the South London Ecclesia first at Westminster, from 1882 then at Islington and Clapham, and was a notable debater. His debates were not just on doctrinal subjects (e.g. 1894), but also, more unusually for Christadelphians, on the subject of Christian Socialism (1908, 1909). Jannaway strongly urged that to become stretcher bearers was still participating in the war. In 1914 Jannaway undertook the compilation of a register of all brethren likely to be affected by the draft, with the objective to keep the Christadelphian body entirely outside the Army. In doing so he succeeded in obtaining signatures from 154 Christadelphian “ecclesias” across Britain, with the notable exception of Temperance Hall, which had already drafted, its own petition of 1,000 members, leaving open the issue of non-combattants, but hesitated to submit it to Parliament. On 11 February 1915 Arnold Stephenson Rowntree, the Quaker Liberal M.P. for York presented Jannaway’s petition to Parliament, which was accepted and made Birmingham’s petition irrelevant.

Frank George Jannaway his reaction to controversy was to separate from others in the name of purity, and he was instrumental in the formation of minority factions or new branch or sub-groups, such as the Berean Christadelphians formed in 1923. However, this reasoning eventually caused him to separate even from his own brother, Arthur Thomas Jannaway (1854–1938).

The name ‘Berean’ is an allusion to the believers from the town of Berea (Acts 17:10-13), who were noted for their continual study of Scripture as the sole basis of their belief. Berean Christadelphians do regard themselves as set apart to serve God. Because of this, they try to live to the highest moral standards and avoid activities that they regard as ‘of the world.’ For example, they don’t worship with other Christian denominations or other religious groups because they don’t believe it appropriate to do so with people who don’t share a common doctrine.

In 1942 the Bereans again divided over marriage and divorce with the stricter party forming the Dawn Fellowship. The majority of the North American Bereans re-joined the main body of Christadelphians in 1952; though a number continue as a separate community as of 2013.

The Christadelphian position on conscientious objection came to the fore with the introduction of conscription during the First World War. Varying degrees of exemption from military service were granted to Christadelphians in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In the Second World War, this frequently required the person seeking exemption to undertake civilian work under the direction of the authorities. During the Second World War the Christadelphians in Britain assisted in the Kindertransport, helping to relocate several hundred Jewish children away from Nazi persecution and founding a hostel Elpis Lodge. In Germany the small Christadelphian community founded by Albert Maier went underground from 1940-1945, and a leading brother, Albert Merz, was imprisoned as a conscientious objector and later executed.

In the 20th century, more moves were taken to try to reunite various of the earlier divisions. In the early 1950s the majority of the Berean Fellowship re-joined the Temperance Hall Fellowship, with the remainder continuing as a separate community.

Christadelphian Hall in Birmingham, United Kingdom

In 1957-1958, there was further reunion with the Suffolk Street Fellowship, which had already incorporated many of the Unamended Fellowship outside North America. This re-united group, which now included the large majority of Christadelphians, became known as the Central fellowship named after the Birmingham Central ecclesia. In Australia and New Zealand a union occurred in 1958 between the Central fellowship and the Shield fellowship (which was allied to the Suffolk Street fellowship) through an understanding expressed in a document called the Cooper-Carter Addendum. Those who held that the reasons for separation from the Suffolk Street Fellowship remained, opposed the re-union and formed the Old Paths Fellowship.

There is also some co-operation between the Central (Amended) and Unamended Fellowships in North America – most recently in the Great Lakes region, where numerous Amended & Unamended ecclesias have opened fellowship to one another despite the failure of wider attempts at re-union under the North American Statement of Understanding (NASU) in recent years.

Despite success in reuniting large sections of the wider Christadelphian community and periodic efforts at reuniting smaller offshoots, there are still a number of small groups who remain separate from other bodies of Christadelphians. These include the Berean Fellowship, the Dawn Fellowship, the Old Paths Fellowship, the Companion Fellowship and the Pioneer Fellowship. However, Dawn Christadelphians and the former Lightstand Fellowship in Australia united in November 2007.

Most of the divisions still in existence within the Christadelphian community today stem from further divisions of the Berean fellowship.

Today: The post-war, and post-reunions, period saw an increase in co-operation and interaction between ecclesias, resulting in the establishment of a number of week-long Bible schools and the formation of national and international organisations such as the Christadelphian Bible Mission (for preaching and pastoral support overseas), the Christadelphian Support Network (for counselling), and the Christadelphian Meal-A-Day Fund (for charity and humanitarian work). The period following the reunions was accompanied by expansion in the developing world, which now accounts for around 40% of Christadelphians.

Christadelphianism

Christadelphianism does not owe its existence to a human leader and does not claim to have received a new revelation. Christadelphians profess no new principle: they own to no new teachership. They are simply and purely the result of Bible study, thoroughly conducted.

The Bible students considering themselves under Christ’s rulership owe their development to the application of a principle, in which it has been customary for all Englishmen to boast – the right of private judgement in the discernment of religious truth. Men rejoice in the work of Martin Luther because they rejoice in this, that the Bible is the word of God, and to embrace what it teaches, and reject what it denounces, however many may be arrayed against the conclusions to which the study of it may lead them.

“… all systems and doctrines are to be discarded that conflict with what is to be found in the Bible, however ancient or popularly supported such systems or doctrines may be.”*

Christadelphianism is nothing more nor less than the result of that principle strictly carried out.

Christadelphianism takes its stand on the Bible. It maintains that the Bible can be proved to be divine, and that it is the only source of divine ideas at present in the earth on the subject of religion; and that all systems and doctrines are to be discarded that conflict with what is to be found in the Bible, however ancient or popularly supported such systems or doctrines may be. In maintaining this, the Brothers in Christ only maintain what the bulk of the English people profess to believe. If they go a step further, and say that the popular systems of the day are in conflict with the Bible, they raise an issue which may disturb complacency, but which ought to receive a sympathetic attention at the hands of so ultra-Protestant a nation as the British. It is a plain, intelligible, and debatable issue, in which there is no fanaticism, or anything to offend the highest culture, or the purest reason.

“The Christadelphians put down nobody… the question is, are the Christadelphians right in what they say the Bible teaches? Because, if so, it follows that those who reject the teaching must be wrong”*

It is the result of the issue that excites the offence, and causes the Christadelphians to be everywhere spoken against.
The ordinary neighbour says he could do with the Christadelphians holding the Bible up; he may even go to the length of saying he admires the fidelity of the Christadelphians on this point; but what he cannot do with is their pulling down everybody else as wrong. Well, this is not exactly the right way of putting it. The Christadelphians put down nobody. It is natural for our good-humoured neighbours to feel in just this way about it; but the question is, are the Christadelphians right in what they say the Bible teaches? Because, if so, it follows that those who reject the teaching must be wrong; and that it is a pity to divert attention from the main issue by questions of style.

Fro the Christadelphians it is not important to be liked by human beings enjoying with them the traditions of man, but to live in accordance with the Word of God. In the case by doing this they may not be liked by others, so be it.

For Christadelphians their baptism is an act of obedience to God as a direct result of the new perspective, and it is therefore an important part of the process leading to salvation. Finally, it’s also a token of committing to that new understanding – the expression of our new faith, and the beginning of a new life in Christ.

+

* Note:

Parts of this text are also based on a tract called “The Sect Everywhere Spoken Against,” written by Robert Roberts in the late 1800′s. It is actually the transcription of a public lecture he delivered on “The True Character and Faith of the People Known as the Christadelphians.” The lecture was transcribed from notes and shorthand, compiled and published after his death.

Related articles

Why conservative Christians would have hated Jesus (salon.com)
In “God-fearing America” the poor are now the “takers,” no longer the “least of these,” and many conservative evangelicals side with today’s Pharisees, attacking the poor in the name of following the Bible.
+Confronted by the Bible cult called evangelicalism we have a choice: follow Jesus or follow a book cult. If Jesus is God as evangelicals and Roman Catholics claim he is, then the choice is clear. We have to read the book–including the New Testament–as he did, and Jesus didn’t like the “Bible” of his day.

Why Jesus Wouldn’t Cut It as a Pastor in Today’s Evangelical Megachurches (alternet.org)
Evangelicals and conservative Roman Catholics thrive on drawing distinctions between their “truth” and other people’s failings. Jesus by contrast, set off an empathy time bomb that obliterates difference.Jesus’ empathy bomb explodes every time a former evangelical puts love ahead of what the “Bible says.” It goes off every time Pope Francis puts inclusion ahead of dogma. It goes off every time a gay couple are welcomed into a church. Jesus’ time bomb explodes whenever atheists follow Jesus better than most Christians.

Robert Reymond: Who Owns The Holy Land, Part 5 (Conclusion) (psalm115three.com)
no Christian should advocate anything evenly remotely resembling legal discrimination against Jews because of their ethnicity or religion. At the same time, in light of the fact that the only hope of salvation for the Jewish people resides in the provisions of the Christian Gospel, it would be wrong, indeed, unloving and un-Christian, for Christians to encourage or to support Israel in the establishment and maintenance of its ethnic or religious “Jewishness” that is the ground of its hope of approbation before God. This is simply to take seriously the uniqueness and finality of Jesus Christ as the only Savior and the only hope not only of ethnic Israel but also of every race and every nation. The Bible denounces every hope for approbation before God that is not grounded in the person and work of Christ. Such approbation pursued through ethnicity or through good works is futile (Galatians 2:16). Therefore, the Jew, if he is ever to know genuine forgiveness by God, must forsake the notion that his racial connection to the patriarchs and/or his allegiance to Torah make him acceptable to God (Romans 2:17-29; Galatians 5:3-4).

We now know that Barack Obama was never properly vetted by the media. There are too many uncovered secrets that the media refuse to explore.

The Fallacy of Pope Francis (defendingcontending.com)
Once again, the world has the distinction of hearing “Thus says the man in the white robe” instead of “thus says the Lord.” If we question the veracity of God’s Word and the foundations which He has established, then it will be easy to cut out further parts of Scripture. Here are a few things to consider as to whether pope Francis is right or wrong.

What are Brothers in Christ (christadelphianworld.blogspot.com)
There have been countless independent communities around the world who have eagerly studied the Bible and accepted its simple teachings and felt like spiritual siblings of Jesus Christ.

Exposition before the Creator

Our prayer life leaves us entirely exposed before that Creator whose name is to be hallowed. We reverence His name, ask for him to come, plead for help physically, and acknowledge our desperate inadequacies.

We should be hoping that Jehovah God reveals Himself to us so that we get to know exactly who God is. Our hope should be that Jehovah His name may be honoured and that His kingdom may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Jehovah the Name to be hallowed – William Blake Works (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We also should acknowledge that the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are forever of God. (Matthew 6:13; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Daniel 4:30; Daniel 4:34.) The “greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty the riches and honour the power and might” of Jehovah should be things we look at. For He is the One who has all the right to decide everything and to reign the whole universe.

“(13) ‘And do not lead us into trial, {1} but deliver us from the wicked one – because Yours is the reign and the power and the esteem, forever. Amĕn.’ {Footnote: 1 See 26:41.} (Matthew 6:13 The Scriptures 1998+)

“(11) “Yours, O יהוה {Jehovah}, is the greatness, the power and the comeliness, the pre-eminence and the excellency, because of all that is in the heavens and in the earth. Yours is the reign, O יהוה {Jehovah}, and You are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 The Scriptures 1998+)

In our daily works and in our prayer we should recognise that all things that are in heaven and earth are the work of God His Hands, and that to Him belongs the ruling over everything.

In our prayer we should show thankfulness by giving thanks and expression of the infinite perfections of God, looking in esteem for God in His unspeakable grandeur, His universal dominion, His absolute ownership. Showing preparedness to come to God in His covenant relation. Recognising God in His goodness to men.

In our prayers it is not bad to show our awareness of the peculiar relations of man to the infinite God and giving expression of our dependent creature, dependent for substance to give, dependent for the disposition to give it and therefore indebted to God for all things.

Knowing that we are just short-lived creatures dependant on the Will of God to let us stay alive or to come into the Kingdom of God we can express our hope to be moulded or made by God so that we may be worthy to enter that Kingdom of God.

Man’s conduct is observed by God. He is our Father, and thus desires to give good gifts to his children (Matt. 7:11), and he is in heaven, and thus has the authority to do so (2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 115:3). We are to worship our Father every time we pray. He is holy, and we should recognize it. We should also pray that His perfect will be done as He brings His kingdom into this world. “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven” is not a denial that Jesus has brought God’s kingdom into the world, but it is rather a request that God His kingdom would come in its fullness, so that earth and heaven would of one accord do all things to the praise of his glorious grace.

Daily bakery products

“Give us this day our daily bread” is recognition that only God can provide our daily needs. It is also a demonstration of trust, putting our hope on Him as the only One who can provide the necessary things for us.

Looking at the birds and animals around us we know that we should not worry so much for what the future may bring for us. But in our prayer we let God know that we are willing to give ourselves in His Hands so that He can take care of us and provide those things which are good for us. We trust that God will provide for our needs one day at a time (Luke 12:27-31).

A condition often forgotten about prayer is the willingness to admit that we are sometimes useless people. In prayer we should come up to the Father and admit the things we have done wrong. Our conscience may prompt us to confess our sins and shortcomings that there would be no insulation between us and God. For all those things we have done wrong we should show regret and ask for forgiveness. But we ourselves should also be forgiving others. That is not always easy and therefore we can ask God to help us to take on the right attitude to others.

To be able to forgive others we often do need to put our own ego aside. This might be one of the biggest challenges God set before his children. Jehovah teaches us that we should be submissive to His will and we have the natural desire to be selfish which makes that a great challenge for us to overcome. God also wants all of us to love one another unconditionally, to be as the children of God he designed us to be. He put the challenges of different colours, languages, culture and even religious beliefs between us in order to teach us how to love one another in an unconditional manner. Without challenges for the human spirit there is no growth or change. He wishes for us to grow both mentally and spiritually. He demands that we deal with our Ego or the self in the right way. He also wants that we get to know ourselves and that we shall want to see our own faults, even more than we see the faults of others. In case we see the wrong in others we should not only try to overcome them, but we should forgive their trespasses. We don’t deserve forgiveness, yet our Father forgives us when we confess our sins. So also, we must forgive, for we have been much forgiven.

Temptation – Female Slender Legs And Red Panties

There are lots of evil, wicked words and wicked works in the world and we often are confronted with it. We have to endure many temptations and facing many problems it does not make live always easy. Therefore we can ask help from God, so that He can provide us with the means to conquer those difficulties. Every day we do hope we can face the world and keep looking forward to gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that we may know the mystery of God, both of YHWH, Jehovah the Father and of Messiah, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. (Colossians 2:2-3)

We should ask God to lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil.

“(13) ‘And do not lead us into trial, {1} but deliver us from the wicked one – because Yours is the reign and the power and the esteem, forever. Amĕn.’ {Footnote: 1 See 26:41.}” (Mat 6:13 The Scriptures 1998+)

“(4) who gave Himself for our sins, to deliver us out of this present wicked age, according to the desire of our Elohim and Father,” (Galatians 1:4 The Scriptures 1998+)

“(19) “When anyone hears the word of the reign, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is that sown by the wayside.” (Matthew 13:19 The Scriptures 1998+)

“(38) And the field is the world. And the good seed, these are the sons of the reign, but the darnel are the sons of the wicked one,” (Matthew 13:38 The Scriptures 1998+)

“(8) See to it that no one makes a prey of you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary matters of the world,{1} and not according to Messiah. {Footnote: 1 See v. 20, and Gal. 4:3 & 9.}” (Colossians 2:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

Sin- Love Triangle

Facing all evil we know that the true life can only be a life for God and in God. In our prayer we can show God that we understand that our life to and in God is only possible in Christ. For however noble and clear a plan God in law and providence may set before us, still sin can prevent us following the plan. It is not because we are baptised that we would not be able to be tempted or not go wrong. Every day we do have to work at ourselves and proof before God that we can stay on the right track. In our prayers we can ask God to help us to stay on that right strait path to the small gate to enter the Kingdom of God.

Even when baptised we still can do many faults and therefore we must have the forgiveness of sin, the promise of the Holy Spirit, the assurance of a Divinegrace strong enough to conquer sin, of a power surrounding our life and keeping us close to God, in spite of all our weakness and all our sin; and this we can only have in a personal relation of faith to Christ our Saviour and to the most Holy father of Christ, who is also our Father in heaven.

We have received the Grace of God by Jeshua the Messiah. We should let our moral life in Christ Jesus be in harmony with the teaching through which we received him as lord; being firmly rooted and built up in him, established in faith as we were taught, abounding in thankfulness. In our prayers we may ask Jehovah God to let no one lead us away as his prey by any empty sham that he may recommend as ‘philosophy’ drawn from human tradition, with the elemental spirits of the world and not Christ for its content. And that brings us to the last conditions of prayer, namely that we may not mix our prayers with traditions which are not according to God His Laws and Regulations. We may not pray to death people or go to witches or wicked people, or join celebrations for false gods. This makes it so important that we should be careful also wit so called traditional ‘Christian’ festivals like Christmas and Easter which are finding their origin in heathen festivals. As good Christians we better take distance of such feast and keep to the festivals installed by God.

Every time we pray we should consider that it is in the right place at the right time, that we use words which come from our heart and are well meant. Best each prayer session includes every aspect of what a healthy prayer looks like: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Jesus learned his disciples to pray like we should do, saying to the God of Abraham and the God of Jesus: “Our Father”

Jehovah God provided a Saviour, Jeshua, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who now sits at the right hand of God to be our “mediator” to “represent” us in front of his Holy Father, the Only OneTrue God. As we pray we should ask God to listen to our prayers in Jesus his name. To our Father we give notice that we would like to have Jesus as the best “mediator” and that we have put trust in the works Jesus has done for us. When wesay “In Jesus name I pray” We’re asking Jesus to mediate with God for us, to represent us! It is showing to Jesus that we accept his offering and to God that we are thankful that Jehovah wanted to take Jesus his flesh and blood, for our sin as a payment, a ransom forever.

Related articles

Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (psalms91911.com)
Jesus is telling us to ask God to manifest his kingdom here on earth, just like it is in heaven. Why would he ask us to pray like that if he didn’t intend his kingdom to be placed here on earth? Jesus did not say this to make the prayer sounded good, He used these precise word because that is exactly what he meant.
+
Transport yourself from this world and into the presence of God in Spirit and imagine how it could be if God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit actually lived in you and within your spirit.

Our Father (pastorbenk.com)
The Father you and I talk to does not have the limitations and weaknesses of our earthly father. God is never selfish, tired, distracted by other things, or too busy.
+
To pray, “Hallowed is thy name” is to pray with an awareness of who God is. We are praying to our Heavenly Father, who is the God who can meet every need in our lives.

A Relentless Cry (christinebrooksmartin.wordpress.com)
We have permission to cry out relentlessly to God when we are hungry. He has promised to take care of us naturally because He is Jehovah-Jireh. He has promised to satiate us spiritually with the knowledge, understanding and wisdom of the bread of life… His scriptures. They instruct us with the principles to live this life on earth.

Submission (aninsightintomymind.wordpress.com)
The Most High / The Rock of Ages / Jehovah Jireh / The list is endless
You say you know Him, you say you’ve dined at His table
Your cup runs over, yet your well is dry
Your thirst to know the things of God is quenched
But who are you asking why?

The Christian Statesman: Thy Kingdom Come (reformedchristianheritage.wordpress.com)
There is a hesitancy, a timidity, and a cowardice with respect to this great truth that is to us both amazing and painful; a cowardice that cuts the sinews of the Church’s strength, and keeps back the day of her universal triumph. It is an absolute submission that Christianity demands; it knows neither truce nor compromise; it proclaims a war of absolute extermination against every opposing system, and will not rest in its aggressive career until all things are put under the feet of its exalted King. We must demand not only of every individual heart, absolute submission to the law of Christ–but to every institution, to every organization, ecclesiastical or civil, we must say, “Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little.” As Christians we mean to conquer the world; we mean that Christ shall be crowned Lord of all; we mean not only that the name of Jesus shall be known but that His authority shall be recognized as far as the course of the sun; and this purpose should not only be uppermost in the mind and heart of every Christian, but should be boldly proclaimed.

Morning Prayer 2.9.14: Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (dailyoffice.org)God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”
+
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene.
+
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Is Our God Nameless? (jehovahswatchtower.wordpress.com)
Most “Christians” of Christendom say that they love God and Jesus.
They make a great show of going to church to worship them.How do we show our love for someone?Is it polite to call someone close to us “Hey you”?Just about everybody on the earth knows who Jesus is.

Why do so few people know or care about what God’s name is?

Article of Faith: Seeing the Kingdom of God, by Femi Aribisala (naijaobserver.wordpress.com)
One of those things I questioned was Jesus’ statement to his disciples that many of them would not die until they saw the kingdom of God. But, I thought, all his disciples are dead. According to church history, all but one was martyred. And yet, the kingdom of God has still not arrived. After all, the church is still following the prayer guide of the Lord, which says: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).

Prayer (calvarycollegeconnection.wordpress.com)
what do you think about the order in which Jesus prays? The order matters.
+
Jesus referred to God as “Abba”/Father (it showed an intimate knowledge of who God is).

Daniel was told that “the message was true but the appointed time was long (10;1). The information given to John explained events that started in his own day and continued through to the return of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom.

At the end of the prophecy Daniel was told to shut the words and seal the book until the time of the end (Daniel 12:4). At the beginning or Revelation, John was shown “in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals” (Rev 5:1),

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the metallic image representing the kingdoms of men (Dan 2)

Daniel’s visions:

The four beasts (chapter 7)
Of the Ram and the He-Goat (chapter 8)
Of the One Man (chapter 10)
Of the kings of North and South (chapter 11)

The sealed scroll of the Lamb

The Sealed Book of Daniel Revealed: The Linear Bible Code

Daniel is the not the own prophesy about a scroll written on both sides: Ezekiel 2:10Zechariah 5: 2,3 – he also saw four coloured horses: red, black, white and dappled, like the horses John saw unleashed in Rev 6.

Zechariah prophesied to the captives returning from exile in Babylon. He spoke of the restoration of true worship after the idolatry they experienced in Babylon and he looked forward to the coming of the “the man whose name is the BRANCH! From his place he shall branch out, and he shall build the temple of the LORD” Zechariah 6:12. This is a prophecy about that Jesus that is still to be fulfilled.

Zechariah also saw a vision of a woman called “wickedness” being carried from Jerusalem to a house built for in her in the land of Shinar (5:5-11) – Shinar was the site of ancient Babylon (Genesis 10;10), and Zechariah’s prophecy explained how a false religious system would develop with a Babylonian-like character. Since earliest times, Babylon has always resisted the truth of God’s word and so the symbol of rebellion of man against God.

Cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24 and appeared in a vision seen by the prophet Ezekiel, who was concerned that God’s glory had departed from Jerusalem and the temple. He was concerned lest the true worship should be overcome by false worship.

Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah naturally asked about the outcome of the revelations they received. Daniel said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” Dan 12:8. He received the answer that leads us back to Revelation – “Blessed is he who waits” (verse 12).

Seven blessings

1

The Blessing of the Message

1:3

2

The Blessing of the Hope

14:13

3

The Blessing of Watching

16:15

4

The Blessing of the Call

19:9

5

The Blessing of Immortality

20:6

6

The Blessing of Obedience

22:7

7

The Blessing of the Kingdom

22:14

The last blessing in Revelation mentions God’s faithful people entering into “the city”. The book deals with two cities: one is the city of God; the other is the city of man. Because of the connection with Daniel and other OT passages, the city of man called Babylon. God’s city is called New Jerusalem!

Rev 22; 12-15Behold, I come soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.
I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Blessed are those who wash their robes. So that they have the right to the tree of life and they enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, sorcerers, and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Shinar () was the Hebrew name of a land which included both Babylon and Erech, i.e., both northern and southern Babylonia.

Cherub, cherubim: Hebrew masculine plural for a word borrowed from the Assyrian kirubu, from karâbu, “to be near”, hence it means near ones, familiars, personal servants, bodyguards, courtiers. It was commonly used of those heavenly spirits, who closely surrounded the Majesty of God and paid Him intimate service.

This all leads to the millennium—not the end of all things but the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth—which, in turn, finally leads to Satan’s end in a lake of fire and the true climax. The Heaven and Earth we know are destroyed, and replaced by better ones.

+
Pagels shows persuasively that the Jew/non-Jew argument over the future of the Jesus movement, the real subject of Revelation, was much fiercer than later Christianity wanted to admit.

+
Pagels turns away from the canonic texts to look at the alternative, long-lost “Gnostic” texts of the period that have turned up over the past sixty years or so, most notably in the buried Coptic library of Nag Hammadi. As in her earlier books (“The Johannine Gospel in Gnostic Exegesis”; “The Gnostic Paul: Gnostic Exegesis of the Pauline Letters”; “The Gnostic Gospels”), she shows us that revelations in the period were not limited to John’s militant, vengeful-minded one, and that mystic visions more provocative and many-sided were widespread in the early Jesus movement.

‘Pre-trib Rapture a Solid Teaching’ (jpfinn7.wordpress.com)
Scripture clearly teaches there is coming a time when God will pour out His wrath against those on this earth. Both the Old Testament prophets and much writing in the New Testament cover the subject. In the time since Jesus left this earth, it was not talked about or preached much until the 1800′s.

Israel: Delivered, Blessed, and Regathered (Zech. 9-10) (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
After the visions in Zechariah 1-6, the question arises, what about the Gentile nations who oppressed Israel?
+
Judgment and salvation will come to the nations surrounding Israel (9:1-8). Zechariah specifies three cities in Syria (Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath; 9:1-2a), two in Phoenicia (Tyre and Sidon; 9:2b-4) and four cities in Philistia (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod; 9:5-8). The order of the cities mentioned is from north to south.
+
When Jesus returns He will liberate, empower, defend, and save Israel (9:11-17). He will destroy the Antichrist armies surrounding Jerusalem and liberate Jewish prisoners (12:2-3; 14:2; Joel 3:2, 12). He will empower the Israeli army as His agents for this before He returns (10:3-7; 12:5-8).

Gog As Antichrist: A Historical Survey (midnightwatcher.wordpress.com)
The primary purpose of this article is to catalogue a partial list of historians, Bible scholars, commentators and teachers, both Jewish, Christian, and secular, whose interpretations of ‘Gog of Magog’ of Ezekiel 38-39 support the view that Gog is one and the same with the Antichrist / Beast of the New Testament.

Zechariah Chapter 1: Introduction and the Prophet’s Introductory Address (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
Luther calls Zechariah Ausbund der Propheten—the quintessence of Old Testament prophecy—and this is especially true in reference to Messianic prophecy. Indeed it seems to be the special aim and mission of Zechariah to condense and concentrate in small compass, and in his own peculiar terse style, almost all that has been revealed to the “former prophets” about the person and mission of Messiah—about His Divine and yet truly human character, and of His sufferings and of the glory that should follow.
+
Zechariah (Zekharyah, “he whom Jehovah remembers”) is the central figure in the group of the three post-exilic prophets, and his voice was the last but one of that unique and wonderful succession of men who were, indeed, the oracles of God, and through whom “in divers portions and in different ways” He Himself “spake unto the fathers,” revealing His eternal counsels to men.

In the previous chapter we saw that the symbols in the book of Revelation are often “clashing”. Though they start in the same way, they develop in different directions until they are directly in opposition to each other.

Another feature of the book of Revelation is the seven fold structure of the book. This also follows examples elsewhere in the Bible.

The Jericho pattern: The heart of the message of Revelation there are three sequences of sevens, seven seals, seven trumpets and seven plagues. The seventh seal opens up into the seven trumpets; and the seventh trumpet sounds the start of the seven plagues. These great sequences of important events divide into three successive sections of the period of time between John receiving the message of Revelation and Jesus returning to earth to establish the kingdom.

Page 291: The Opening of the Seventh Seal and the First Four Sounding Trumpets, Revelation 8:1-13 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Three main periods described in Revelation

Seals

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Kingdom

Trumpets

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Plagues

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Each sevenfold sequence always looks forward to the completion of God’s purpose. This is emphasised by the fact that every section starts with a vision of the kingdom, and is completed when the kingdom is established. The kingdom visions are a very important focus of this book:

The sevenfold construction of Revelation

Opening Vision

Chp

Development of God’s purpose

Chp

1

One like the Son of Man

1

Letters to the Seven Ecclesias in Asia

2, 3

2

Throne in Heaven

4, 5

Seven-sealed Scroll

6

3

Multitude no man can number

7

Seven trumpets

8, 9

4

Rainbowed Angel

10

Development of Apostasy

11-13, 17,18

5

Lamb on Mount Zion

14

Seven Last Plagues

16

6

God’s judgement

15

Seven Thunders

10: 3,4

7

Marriage of the Lamb

19

Establishment of the Kingdom

20,22

A direct comparison can be made with the siege of Jericho by the Hebrews at the time of Joshua.

Seven Kingdom Visions:

1

One like the Son of Man. A symbolic figure representing Jesus and his faithful disciples encourage John to write down everything he is shown in visions.
Introduction to the letters to the seven groups of believers in Asia

1: 12-20

2

Throne in heaven – a vision of Jesus sitting on God’s throne in the kingdom. The nations are at peace and the saints surround Jesus.
The vision explains how God foresees future events and they occur only at His will.Whatever happens – everything is moving towards the end of His purpose. As the seven seals are broken, some of these details are revealed.

4:1 – 5:14

3

Multitude no man can number. A great crowd of people from every nation stand before Jesus’ kingdom throne.
They are clothed in white after coming through great tribulation and persecution. This is the introduction to the seven trumpet judgements – they reveal the troubles through which God’s faithful people are preserved for His kingdom.

7:9-17

4

Rainbowed angel. A mighty angel descends from heaven clothed in a cloud and a rainbow, and roaring like a lion – it is a vision of Jesus and the saints establishing peace on the earth.
The urgency of the vision expresses Jesus’ reaction to the corruption of the Gospel, and the difficulties faced by true disciples.
Introduces a section in Revelation where the development of and dangers of false religion are graphically described.

10:1-11

5

The Lamb in Mount Zion. Jesus and the saints stand on Mount Zion, and the saints sing for joy because they have been redeemed from the rest of mankind.
This is the introduction to the seven last plagues, which occur before Jesus returns to set up his kingdom.
Despite the fierceness of the plagues – God will ensure than none of Jesus’ true disciples are lost.

14:1-20

6

God’s judgements. The saints are singing – their song is the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, and they stand on the sea of nations, which has been stilled by the work of Jesus.The stilling of the nations and exactly how it will occur is only briefly mentioned in Revelation. It is a work symbolised by seven thunders, which John was told not to describe. (10;4)

15: 1-8

7

Marriage of the Lamb, the saints rejoice because Jesus is finally united with his disciples – the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready (19;7)Together, Jesus and the saints rule over the nations of the world, teaching them God’s ways and putting down all opposition, so that the kingdom can be handed back to God and He will be “all in all”.

“Baruch Habah Bashem Adonai”End Times also called The Last Days, The Beginning of Sorrows, Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom -Major world wide conflict that begin the End Times or Last Days: World War I & II (1914 ,1939) Matthew 24:7 Both World Wars had major Jewish implications, The Holocaust, & Zionist Movement, State of Israel is established in 1948. Israel is established as a secular nation in unbelief for a future judgment known as a Time of Jacob’s Trouble, The Bibles speaks of a great gathering of Gentile Armies against Jerusalem.
+
The Second Coming is exactly seven years after the signing of the covenant with the Anti-Christ, but the rapture could happen at any moment.
+
The Great Tribulation, Daniel’s 70th Seven, Seven Year Period Of Judgement And Wrath Of God, Signing of the Seven Year covenant with the Anti-Messiah Daniel 9:27 – Seventy Sevens

+++

Related articles

Revelation 5: Worthy is the Lamb! (kingdomnewtestament.wordpress.com)
the Lion has become the Lamb. Let there be no mistake, the Lamb is powerful like a lion, but his work up until now has always been more like a lamb. One must be a lamb before they can be a lion.

Revelation 4-8 (westminsterreads.org)
Beginning in chapter 4, the author’s vision starts. The scene shifts from earth to heaven and we enter another world. John’s visions have been the subject of nearly endless discussion and speculation by readers.

Why the Modern View of the Book of Revelation may be Flawed. (adw.org)
the common modern and majority view is that the context of this book is the persecution against Christians by Domitian (Emperor from 81-96 AD) and the Roman Empire which he headed. John has been arrested and exiled to the Island of Patmos. Thus, the chief context for the majority view is the antagonism of the Roman Empire seeking to force Christians to emperor worship and apostasy from the Christian faith in the one true God. Further, the harlot city is defined in this point of view as Rome.

Sunday (December 2): “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
The people of Jesus’ time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders. Jesus’ first coming was clouded in mystery and surprising wonderment: Even though he was the rightful heir to the throne of King David, he was born in obscurity in a cave at Bethlehem, near the place where David had watched over his father’s sheep some 1000 years before. A choir of mighty angels chose to announce the good news to a small band of lowly shepherds keeping their night watch nearby.

Often you hear people calling non-trinitarians heathen and heretics, members of a cult.

Becoming a member or Getting in and out

Normally you would consider a group as being a cult when it is easy to get in but very difficult to get out. Most of the non-trinitarian groups are not so easy to become a member of because they require full notice of their teachings, the Biblical teachings and a life which is acceptable in the eyes of Jesus and most important acceptable for God. Once allowed to become a member and to be baptised, with some, after a questionnaire to cheque if you fulfil the requirements, the person has to live a Christian life according to the ordinances of the Holy Scriptures. As soon as the person does something against the Law of God he or she is mostly requested to leave the association. No foul play or being unfaithful to a partner are accepted so slutty actions are penalised by being put out of the congregation. Fornication is a good reason not to be allowed in the group any more.
Therefore groups like the Jehovah Witnesses are very easy to get out. Even if you have done no whorehopping but tell them so, you may leave for ever. (By matter of speech.) As you can see not really according to the real definition of a cult.

In case you consider every minority group a cult, then yes you can see in the whole history that many groups which started small, like the followers of Jesus where called a cult (The Way), but as soon as they got more money and political power they became integrated in the normal system and where even taken as the normal standard. As such history has seen growing the Lutherans, Calvinists or recently the Mormons.

The Most profitable considered to be the Main

In the United States once again it is proven that people prefer to choose the groups which they think could bring most profit. The Tea Party which has its mouth full of Judeo-Christian Values would never want to go in the sea with Obama, but do not see the danger into giving hands to Mitt Romney. In earlier days they shouted that Mormons where of the devil and today they call everybody to go and vote for Mitt Romney so that he can save America. Once considered a cult to avoid and never to work with is now the hope of American evangelists and conservative Christians.

In the past we have seen when push came to shove (or prison, or death) also most Protestants supported like the Roman Catholic Church, the Nazi regime regardless of where they fell on the theological spectrum. And prominent liberal theologians like Paul Tillich were just as hostile to the Third Reich as were prominent conservative theologians and pastors like Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. And the tragic thing is that while Catholic Church and the Confessing Church rigorously opposed Nazi claims to totalitarian power over their churches and other church-related organizations, neither said much at all in the way of denouncing Nazi policy towards Jews, Jehovah Witnesses, or to the mentally-handicapped.

When a group Catholics did not want to agree with the teachings of Pope John Giovanni XXIII and preferred to keep to the Latin rite they where considered heretics and the world was confronted with different Catholic Cults like the Lefebvrists or Marcel Lefebvre his Society of St. Pius X. Pope Benedict XVI had declared that, for doctrinal rather than disciplinary reasons, the SSPX had no canonical status in the Catholic Church and, because of that lack of canonical status, the ministries exercised by its ministers were not legitimate in the Catholic Church. Tensions between the society and the Holy See reached their height in 1988, when Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops against the orders of Pope John Paul II, resulting in a declaration of excommunication against the bishops who consecrated or were consecrated, an excommunication remitted for those still alive in January 2009 with a hope expressed that all members of the society would quickly return to full communion.
At the end of last century and beginning this century when everything was turned back to previous days they were taken up again in the Roman Catholic Church and are today not seen as a cult any more.

Some years ago people spoke about Catholic institutional cults like the Charismatic Catholics, Opus Dei, a.o.

Several people also used to speak out boldly against the Church of Rome and considered it from the devil or to be the Babylon of which the Bible spoke. Though it no longer seems to be in vogue to speak of the pope as “the antichrist” (Although the following people unhesitatingly did: Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Huss, John Wycliffe, John Calvin, William Tyndale, John Knox, Thomas Bacon, John Wesley, Samuel Cooper, John Cotton, and Jonathan Edwards.) or the Catholic Church as the “whore of Babylon”. Now many Protestants unwittingly believe that “our differences are not so great”.

Alliances

Franklin Graham told the IndianapolisStar (6/3/99) that his father’s longstanding ecumenical alliance with the Catholic Church and all other denominations, “was one of the smartest things his father ever did.” The charismaticCharisma magazine in 10/95 contained a 7-page article on Franklin Graham. They quoted him as saying, “I thank God for the warmth I see within many of the charismatic churches — their love for the Lord and love for the scriptures. …” He also said, “Probably (Samaritan’s Purse) largest base of support comes from the charismatic community.” He has referred to “Mother” Teresa as an “example of the woman God uses” (4/1/99, CalvaryContender). {Billy Graham General Teachings/Activities}

New Age movements also at one time were considered cults but after a few years many protestants found solace in such groups. Norman Vincent Peale advocated New Age and/or occult teachings as visualization, pantheism, human potential, positive confession, positive thinking, etc. Once on the Phil Donahue Show, Peale, a 33rd degree Mason, said, “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God, I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine.” (Shintoism is an ancient Oriental religion that fuses ancestor worship with mysticism.) He also denied the necessity of believing in the virgin birth.

Trinity to follow or not

Others would say those who are not following the trinitarian teachings can not call themselves Christian and can not be any different than belonging to a cult.

In case people consider a cult any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith, they should first confine that Christian Faith. In Christendom we see lots of denominations and in each denomination people shall be able to find many more opinions and deviations from their main confession. Some say that “cults often teach some Christian truth mixed with error, which may be difficult to detect.” But they do not give a proper definition of that Christian Truth, which would be, according to the words of the many denominations being something very different from one to the other denomination, so that every denomination could be categorised as a cult.

Features

According the fundamentalism’s leading spokesman evangelist Billy Graham there are some features common to most cults:

• “They do not adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They add their “special revelations” to the Bible and view them as equally authoritative.”
As such all the believers who accept the apocryphal books as worthy spiritual food, would be considered a cult. This also means the Roman Catholic Church is for those Americans a cult. Especially the Roman Catholics should then also be seen as a cult, because they also have several revelations by the saints they take for granted and of inspirational value. But in several protestant denominations we also do find groups which like to use several theological and devotional books by human writers which they consider to be inspired by God. According to Billy Graham they should also come under the denominator of being a cult.

English: The icon was painted by artist Nicholas Morosoff in 1935 at the request of Bishop Wedgwood for the St Francis Church in Tekels Park, Camberley, and hangs above its main altar. Courtesy Liberal Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• “They do not accept that our relationship to Jesus Christ is a reality “by grace through faith” alone, but promote instead a salvation by works.”
By saying this they do not understand what those Christians get from the Bible, the infallible Word of God. For those, like Christadelphians, who agree that Christians should live up to their faith it is clear that it is not enough to be baptised to be saved, because faith without works is death. Strangely the others forget that they also dismember people from their congregation because they have done something which they consider to be bad. But that is in contradiction with what they say, because when that person would be saved for ever than he also should be accepted as Christian for ever. It is not right to think any murderer or wrongdoer shall go to heaven because there is the reality of Christ dying for all sinners. If they do not repent they shall not enter the small gate of the Kingdom of God (which also shall be on earth).

• For lots of Christians non-trinitarians “do not give Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, full recognition as the second Person of the Trinity, composed of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”
Yes they do not recognise him as a part of some trio. They recognise him in his full potential. They do not see a God who came onto the earth to fake his death. Jesus really died, while God, as a spirit, can not die and has ever been and shall have no end. Jesus had a beginning (being born) and an end (died at the stake).
Fully recognising the offer Jesus brought, makes his action much more important than trinitarians want to see Jesus. His humility and his preparedness to give his life for people he did not kno, has more value than a God who could straight ahead, in heaven when the first sin was committed, take action and bring everything to an end. In such instance not so many people had to suffer so much. This would make God also to a very cruel person. But God is a God of love, who wanted to give men a change to prove that they could rule the world better than Him. (Part of the question in the garden of Eden).
We had to wait such a long time because it was only with Jesus, that God did find it time to bring a solution with giving a God send man, who could be tempted (remember God can not be tempted) but did not let himself go. Jesus kept straight in line with God’s teachings. Jesus choose to follow his father and to keep totally to His commandments. He is the only one man who could prove to be able to follow God, out of love for God and not wanting anything in return for it. As such, though at first lower than the angels, Jehovah God gave him a higher position and made him unto a mediator between God and men. The ones who consider, like it is written in the Holy Scriptures that Jesus is the son of God and not god the son or God Son, give Jesus full honour for all the work he has done.

Listening and reacting to Scriptures

When Scripture is life-changing, as God’s Word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) people who get to know the Bible to be infallible should under its inspiration come to insight and how more they come to get to know they should adjust their thinking and their way of living.

When we hear God’s Word, whether at a meeting, church service or in private reading, we should “devour” God’s words to us and allow them to become the joy and happiness of our heart (Jeremiah. 15:16).

After the Torah we got Prophesies and Writings to gut us under way to the Gospels to be able to recognise the God send man Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Jeshua) who was son of men and as son of God brought salvation unto many. His disciples and followers coming out of all sorts of layers of the population where preachers brought the Word of God and the Word of Christ “were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles” (Acts of the apostles 2:42; cf. 2 Timothy 1:14) long before the New Testament was written–and centuries before the New Testament canon was settled. Those who call themselves Christians should carefully to the life and beliefs of those first followers of Christ.

Doing the same

In case you want to call yourself Christian you should do the same as the first Christians who also believed that Jesus never took himself to be God himself or to be equal with Him.

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15 NIV)

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)

“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6 NIV)

“5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature {Or in the form of} God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,” (Philippians 2:5-6 NIV)

They believed in Jesus, to be the long awaited saviour who as son of men and son of God brought God to us all to be our Father as well.

“I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” {Daniel 7:13} with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” (Revelation 14:14 NIV)

“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 10:23 NIV)

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” (Matthew 3:17 NIV)

“”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, {Or his only begotten Son} that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

For us it should be as for them that Jesus shall have to be the Master Teacher and the example for us to come to God and a better life. He, Jesus, should be our main teacher and not theologians or scholars who say they speak in the name of God. Christians should take Jesus as their Rabbi.

“”You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.” (John 13:13 NIV)

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

“”But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.” (Matthew 23:8 NIV)

“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1 NIV)

“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ {Or Messiah. “The Christ” (Greek) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “the Anointed One”; also in verse 26.} the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 NIV)

“But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.” (1 Corinthians 15:38 NIV)

“17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. {Or Messiah. “The Christ” (Greek) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “the Anointed One”.} 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:17-18 NIV)

“26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called {Or So the child to be born will be called holy,} the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:26-38 NIV)

“Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”” (Matthew 14:33 NIV)

“I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”” (John 1:34 NIV)

“But these are written that you may {Some manuscripts may continue to} believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31 NIV)

“and who through the Spirit {Or who as to his spirit} of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, {Or was appointed to be the Son of God with power} by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:4 NIV)

“(and for this we labour and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10 NIV)

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14 NIV)

“And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”” (Revelation 7:10 NIV)

“30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” (Acts 5:30-31 NIV)

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in {Or through} Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, left his followers as a Church in case they listen to him Jesus, with divine authority to teach in his name.

“13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, {Or Messiah; also in verse 20} the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, {Peter means rock.} and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades {Or hell} will not overcome it. {Or not prove stronger than it} 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be {Or have been} bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be {Or have been} loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.” (Matthew 16:13-20 NIV)

“”I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be {Or have been} bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be {Or have been} loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18 NIV)

“”He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”” (Luke 10:16 NIV)

“And I tell you that you are Peter, {Peter means rock.} and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades {Or hell} will not overcome it. {Or not prove stronger than it}” (Matthew 16:18 NIV)

“19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in {Or into; see Acts 8:16; 19:5; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13; 10:2 and Gal. 3:27.} the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever—” (John 14:16 NIV)

Following Jesus his teachings

Christians are those who follow Jesus teachings and are also prepared to do what he asked them to do, to go out in the world and to let the name of God, to whom belongs all authority, be known all over the world.

“”I have revealed you {Greek your name; also in verse 26} to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” (John 17:6 NIV)

“5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1 NIV)

“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 NIV)

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.” (Ephesians 4:17 NIV)

“19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:19-24 NIV)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)

“”You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10 NIV)

“I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD {Jehovah}, “that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:12 NIV)

“1 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. … 4 Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” {Deut. 31:6} 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” {Psalm 118:#6,7} 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. … 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. … 20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ….” (Hebrews 13:1-25 NIV)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8 NIV)

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. {Or Messiah}” (Acts 5:42 NIV)

“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NIV)

“When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. {Or Messiah; also in verse 28}” (Acts 18:5 NIV)

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17 NIV)

Praying Christian

Over the times people could get to read the Word of God. They could learn about Adam, Eve, Abraham, Isaac, David, Christ and God. The apostles could seen and we testified that the Father has sent His son, so did not come down Himself as deliverer of the world, but send a man who could feel how every other human being could feel. He really suffered and died in the hope that many would understand his words and come to the Father to whom he often prayed and learned everybody to pray. As Jesus kept his Father, ElohimHashemJehovah holy, he also wanted us to keep his Fathers Name holy and to make it be known all over the world until His Kingdom comes. In our prayers we can make our requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving because it is God who chooses us and has commissioned us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever we ask from the Father in Jesus his name God may give us. It shall be in the name of Jesus {Jeshua} that Jehovah God shall give his followers, trusting only His one mediator between Him and humanity, Jeshua the Messiah, himself human.

“”This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” (Matthew 6:9 NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 15:16 NIV)

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 16:23 NIV)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV)

Preaching under Christ for God

The apostles knew that Jesus as son of men was very well aware how limited he was and how limited we are. Jesus left his disciples but promised to come back. If we love Jesus, we should be glad that he has gone to the Father; because the Father is greater than Jesus, who now sits at His right hand.

Jesus wanted us to understand that the head of every man is the Messiah, and the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of the Messiah is God. All Christians should accept that. But yes we do see that the majority does not and want to place Jesus as head of everything. It is true that for the moment the world is still in the hands of evil and that there will come a time that everything shall be subjected to the son. But then comes a time that Jesus himself will subject himself to the only OneGod, who subjected everything to him; so that God may be everything in everyone.

Recognising the humility of Christ, who who served, those who call themselves Christian should also let the greater among us become like the younger, and one who rules like one who serves. Whoever among us wants to be a leader must become servant of the others, and whoever wants to be first must be slave! For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve – and to give his life as a ransom for many. As he also served his Father in heaven, he demanded us to help him and not for a single day, either in the temple court, synagogue, church, public square or in private homes, should followers of Jesus stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Jeshua is the Messiah. Declaring with utmost seriousness the same message to Jews and other people from all nations. Telling everywhere to: “turn from sin to God; and put your trust in our lord, Jeshua the Messiah.” Making even more people into talmidim, or pupils and disciples, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the son and the Ruach haKodesh or the Power of the Most High His Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us.

All that call themselves Christian should acknowledge publicly with their mouth that Jeshua is lord, but God the Most High Lord of the lord of lords. Telling everybody that this Almighty God raised Jesus from the dead, so that we will be delivered.

For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues toward deliverance. The one following Christ should not be afraid of the world and go into it proclaiming the Good News of the return of Jesus and the coming Kingdom of God. Like the apostle Paul every Christian should not boast merely because he proclaims the Good News — this they should all do from inner compulsion. Woe is them if they do not proclaim the Good News!

“”You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 NIV)

“Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3 NIV)

“When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28 NIV)

“26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:26-27 NIV)

“26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV)

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. {Or Messiah}” (Acts 5:42 NIV)

“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NIV)

“19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in {Or into; see Acts 8:16; 19:5; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13; 10:2 and Gal. 3:27.} the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

“9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’” (Luke 10:9 NIV)

“Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV)

Willing to follow

Are you willing to follow Jesus, the son of God? Are you prepared to step out of the world and let all traditions for whatever they may be?

Are you willing to follow the example apostles of Jesus and dare trying to imitate them, even as Paul himself tried to imitate the Messiah? Do you want to become like Christ and become a Brother in Christ, sharing with others in the world the Good News and boasting about the works Christ has done for us all?

Do you think that those who really follow up the task Jesus has given his pupils would be a cult?

The Bible affirms that he Word of Adonai lasts forever and that this Word is the Good News which has been proclaimed to many. The things we have heard from Jesus and his disciples, which were supported by many witnesses, these things commit to faithful people, such as will be competent to teach others also. We should make use of it, to give us the spirit to get others to know God and his son Jesus Christ.

Therefore, brothers, stand firm; though some may consider us a cult we should not like them keep to the traditions of the world, but hold to the traditions we were taught by the men who God had chosen, the Prophets, Jesus and his disciples.

Christians should be those who keep to the Word of God, like Jesus did, and who remembered everything Jesus and his followers told and observe the traditions just the way the apostles passed them on to us.

“but the word of the Lord stands for ever.” {Isaiah 40:6-8} And this is the word that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25 NIV)

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV)

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings {Or traditions} we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NIV)

“I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, {Or traditions} just as I passed them on to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2 NIV)

Do you want to be a as “Follower of Jesus, part of a cult, or a Christian”?

Be a follower of the real Jesus of Nazareth who was known as the son of men and the son of God.

Christadelphians or Brothers in Christ, do follow Jesus and accept him for what he did and still does for us, as mediator between God and men.

Related articles

Cult or True Religion (wordsonsergebenhayon.wordpress.com)
“…if you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps ‘the’ religion; and if you do not care one way or another about it, it is a sect; but if you fear and hate it, it is a cult.” Leo Pfeffer.
+
The Roman Catholic Church for example has been around ever since Constantine. He was a Roman emperor who used Christianity, which was a small cult at the time, as a means to impose his belief systems on the bishops; so he promulgated the council of Nicaea and thereby gained control of the populus. Now, over 1500 years later, people in Catholic churches today still recite the creed set down by Constantine.

Many people question the Catholic Church and other religions, seeing them as some of the biggest cults in the World today: they are viewed by many as man-made constructs which have the potential to lead millions of people astray. Religion in its current form has become divisive due to it’s many man-made and dualistic doctrines which continue to divide, separate and cause wars.

Billy Graham’s group removes Mormon cult reference from website after Romney meeting (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Shortly after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney enjoyed cookies and soft drinks with the Rev. Billy Graham and his son Franklin Graham on Thursday at the elder Graham’s mountaintop retreat, a reference to Mormonism as a cult was scrubbed from the website of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

+
The removal of the post from the Graham group’s website was first noted by the New Civil Rights Movement website and then later by the Asheville Citizen-Times, which reported that the information on cults was accessed as recently as Thursday afternoon.
+
When asked about Graham’s beliefs about Mormonism, Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross said in a statement that “Through an inclusive evangelistic ministry spanning more than 60 years, Mr. Graham was called to preach the transformative message of the Gospel to the whole world, regardless of one’s religious background, affiliation or none. As such, he never proselytized, targeted or labeled specific people, groups, faiths or denominations.

“The Muslims do not see the difference between Christians and Westerners, because they do not distinguish, themselves, between what is religious and what is political and social. What precedes the Westerners is perceived by the Muslims as preceding the Christians. Now, Western behaviour, especially on the cultural and political level and in a general way, harms the religious and national sensitivity of the Muslims, their values, their ethics and their culture. Consequentially, this forms an obstacle to their openness to Christianity and to their possible evangelisation.”

Billy Graham: Mormonism No Cult (orthodoxyandheterodoxy.org)
Sociologists of religion use cult to refer to a religious group that does not regard itself as exclusively true yet has negative relations with the surrounding society. Those two factors—exclusivity and societal relations—form the basis for sociological definition of religions into four kinds of groups: church (exclusive with good relations), denomination (inclusive with good relations), sect (exclusive with bad relations) and cult (inclusive with bad relations). Yet almost no one uses these terms in the way sociologists of religion use them.
+
I think what is really meant by cult in most modern Evangelical parlance is “bad/weird religious group.” And of course perhaps such a definition is right in its own way.

Grahams tighten Romney ties (newsobserver.com)
The election-year embrace of Mitt Romney by some evangelical Christians now borders on a bear hug, given a series of moves by Billy Graham and his family that appear to say it’s OK to vote for a Mormon.

Jesus has given us life-breath. He had only a little three years to go around in the area where he could come, around his habitat. Distances in his time took many hours to travel. Today we can be somewhere far away in a couple of minutes or just a few hours. What took days for the apostles to go somewhere, takes only a few hours today. but today we do hear more excuses than in Jesus time about having no time to teach others about the Kingdom of God or to have others to learn the Bible.

Travelling Master

To get others to know the Bible we do not have to go far. We even can do it from our home, today. We have marvellous tools which brings us very easily much further than the doorstep. Jehovah Witnesses for a long time took it for granted it was the best way to reach people by bothering them at any moment of the day, ringing the bell and talking to them at the doorstep. But it seems that they today, also have found the modern means of the computer and internet. On the internet they now seem to have opened up and present more literature to the general public. Which is nice, because they also have very good literature, which can bring many more people to God.

We should be more conscious that we also have a lot to offer to the unbelievers and those looking for the Truth. We Can offer the Truth, but than we may not stay in our little cocoon of our armchair at home. We should get off our ass and do something.

It is more than high time that more people would come out of their house and take up the task Jesus has given them.

Worldly and spiritual works

Jesus, in his three years of preaching, has spend a lot of breath, getting people to see the importance of getting to know his Father, JehovahGod. He also spend a lot of words on getting others to know the Gospel of the Good News, of the coming Kingdom of God. In his time he could find many people interested in him and gasping at his wonders, which he did in the name of his Father.

Interior of a Kingdom hall of Jehovah Witnesses, which could be identical as one of the meeting rooms of Christadelphians

All-right, it is true that our worldly works on their own shall not bring us far and it is not only by the works of the law that we shall be sanctified. Grace has come over us by the offer Jesus brought, but we should remember that without works our faith serves to nothing, because without works the faith is dead. We need the faith to be able to survive, and to be counted righteous we shall have to prove that we are worthy of the grace God has given to all.
Even if we would be Jewish by birth, not sinners from other ethnic backgrounds, we would know that people are not declared to be righteous by obeying sectarian law , but by faith in JeshuaMessiah. All those who call themselves Christians should not only believed in Jeshua, whom they mostly call Jesus Christ. They should know that in order to be declared righteous by faith in the Messiah, and not by sectarian law they also should live accordingly to the Will and Law of God. Jesus has spoken about that many times and has given many parables of what could happen if we do not confirm to the Laws of God. Though no human being will be declared righteous by obeying sectarian law, if we, while trying to be declared righteous by the Messiah, have also been found to be sinners ourselves, it does not mean that Jeshua Messiah is a of sin.

Words and Jesus living in us

Every Christian should take care to die to the Torah, so that he can live for YHVH/JHWH the Elohim Jehovah God. Sin in us should be crucified with the Messiah. From now on it is no longer us who live, but the Messiah who lives in us, and the mortal life we have lived before we became Christians may still be a live that can come onto an end in this world, but it should be a life full of hope by faith in God’s Son who loved us and gave himself for us. We do not disregard the compassion of Jehovah. Because if righteousness is attainable through sectarian law, then the Messiah died for nothing.

For as many as are of works of Torah are under the curse, for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all that has been written in the book of the Torah, to do them.” And that no one is declared right by Torah before Elohim is clear, for “The righteous shall live by belief.” And the Torah is not of belief, but “The man who does them shall live by them.” Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Torah, having become a curse for us – for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree.”1 – Footnote: 1Dt. 21:23. in order that the blessing of Abmight come upon the nations in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, to receive the promise of the Spirit through belief. (Galatians 3:10-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

And we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in the Torah, so that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world come under judgment before Elohim. Therefore by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah is the knowledge of sin.1 Footnote: 1Ex. 20:20, Rom. 4:15, Rom. 7:7. But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets, and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim, being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע {Jeshua}. (Romans 3:19-26 The Scriptures 1998+)

“We, Yehudby nature, and not of the gentiles, sinners, knowing that a man is not declared right by works of Torah, but through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, in order to be declared right by belief in Messiah and not by works of Torah, because by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right. “And if, while seeking to be declared right by Messiah, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Messiah then a servant of sin? Let it not be! “For if I rebuild what I once overthrew, I establish myself a transgressor. “For through Torah I died to Torah,1 in order to live to Elohim. Footnote: 1See Rom. 7. “I have been impaled with Messiah, and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me.1 And that which I now live in the flesh I live by belief in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Footnote: 1Rom. 8:10, 2 Cor. 6:16, 2 Cor. 13:5, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, 1 John 4:4. “I do not set aside the favour of Elohim, for if righteousness is through Torah, then Messiah died for naught.”
(Galatians 2:15-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

Honouring the Names

We may not blaspheme the honourable name that we bear and that we can only do when we fulfil the Torah of Jehovah, the God Most High. And to help us God has given His Word in the Holy Scriptures, for generations to bear and hear. Lots of Christians do seem to forget that it is written in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible which we consider the inspired and infallible Word of God, that whoever obeys the whole Torah, yet fails in one point is guilty of violating the whole Torah! Yes it sounds hard, and it is reality.

But it is also for that reason that Jesus has given his body and blood as an Offer-lamb to his Father, so that we may be purified by his blood. But his death at the stake does not give us the permission to live like we would like and to go on living a frivolous and sinful live. Having been baptised we are cleansed and received a new start. But we should live up to it. From our transformation and baptism onwards we should speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the Torah of liberty.

Faith and works

Faith Without Works is Dead.
What is the use, Friends, if a man says, “I have faith”, but he doesn’t have any works? Can his faith resurrect him to Life?

If you truly accomplish the sovereign law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you do well, but if you show partiality, you commit sin, being found guilty by the Torah as transgressors. For whoever shall guard all the Torah, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of Torah. So speak and so do as those who are to be judged by a Torah of freedom.1 Footnote: 1See 1:25, and John 8:32-36. For the judgment is without compassion to the one who has shown no compassion. And compassion boasts over judgment. My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. (James 2:8-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

Many people when they saw Jesus recognized him and his apostles. So the people hurried there by land from all the surrounding cities, arriving ahead of them to be sure to have a place where they could be close to him and hear all what he had to tell. Wherever Jesus came he began to teach the people around him many things. He taught them many things by analogies.

And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea. And He taught them much in parables, … (Mark 4:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

And He went away from there and came to His own country, and His taught ones followed Him. And Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the congregation. And many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did He get all this? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such miracles are done through His hands? (Mark 6:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

And having gone out, יהושע {Jeshua} saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many matters. (Mark 6:34 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jesus had learned everything from his Father. We also can learn a lot from this Father, because as Jesus read the Torah and knew it very well, we can read the Torah and further Holy Scriptures, study them, and try to understand them. Listening carefully to all the words in the Holy Scripture we shall be able to hear the Voice of God. The Bible writers worked for the Highest Author, the ElohimHashem, whose name is Jehovah, the God of gods. Jesus is his son and showed us the way to follow. We also should try to hear everything what Jesus has to tell us. Christ his words are written down in the New Testament. that Bible Book is available in many languages, so we should not have any excuse that it would be in a language we could not try to understand.

Listening and opening up the mind

If we are willing to listen to Christ and God’s Words, we shall feel their breath over our lives. We shall feel that they want to be with us and if we are willing to open up our minds to what the Word of God is saying we shall hear more clearly what those words really meant in their time and what they mean in our time.

Hearing the call of Jesus to go out to preach so that the Word of God shall be know all over the world, we should be aware of this important task and take steps to do this, and not leaving it alone to the Jehovah Witnesses.
As they show the world their love for the Word of God, all Christians should do that. In the love of Christ they will continue to grow with precise knowledge and spiritual insight, but they shall have to react according the knowledge they receive. By studying regularly the Word of God the Bible reader shall be able to recognize what is genuine, and be pure and blameless in the Day of the Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through JeshuaMessiah, to the splendor and praise of Jehovah.

Grace was said before the barbeque was served at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair (LOC) (Photo credit: The Library of Congress)

Heralding

Reading the Bible the reader should feel God’s Breath and be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit to become driven by the Good News and willing to share it by as many people as possible. Friends in the service of our Master should have courage to go out and to speak God’s Message fearlessly and bolder than ever.

Some actually herald out of envy and rivalry, but others do it out of good will and in the love of the Messiah, knowing that Jesus and his apostles have been appointed to defend the Good News. But those who herald the Messiah from motives of rivalry and selfish ambition are attempting to cause distress. But either way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is heralded and that is what Christians should bear on their heart.

We who would like to be honest Christians and go through life as Brothers and sisters in Christ, should love the work for the Lord and expect that no brother or sister will ever have anything to be ashamed of, but with resolute boldness will continue, now as always, to exalt the Messiah in our body, either by my our or by our death. Because for us, living should be for the Messiah, and if we die, we still ‘win’.

“Go back to your house, and relate what Elohim has done for you.” And he went away proclaiming through all the city what יהושע {Jeshua } did for him. (Luke 8:39 The Scriptures 1998+)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Master until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26 The Scriptures 1998+)
And this I pray, that your love might extend more and more in knowledge and all discernment, for you to examine the matters that differ, in order to be sincere, and not stumbling, until the day of Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness,1 through יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, to the esteem and praise of Elohim. Footnote: 1Mt. 3:8-10, Rom. 6:22, Rom. 14:17, 2 Cor. 9:10, Eph. 5:9, Gal. 5:22, Col. 1:10, Heb. 12:11, Jam. 3:18. And I wish you to know, brothers, that what has befallen me has turned out for the advancement of the Good News, so that it has become known to all the palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Messiah; and most of the brothers, trusting in the Master because of my chains, are much more bold to fearlessly speak the word. Some indeed proclaim Messiah even from envy and strife, but some also out of pleasure – the former announce Messiah from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to add distress to my chains, but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the Good News. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Messiah is announced. And in this I rejoice, in fact, I shall rejoice. For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, according to my intense longing and anticipation that I shall not be ashamed at all, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Messiah shall be made great in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Messiah, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:9-21 The Scriptures 1998+)

No Postponing

Please do not wait until tomorrow. Do not postpone.

You can form a study group so that you are not alone and can develop long lasting Christian friendships. You can host Biblestudies on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc. It is also not bad to write devotions on a blog, for another blog, or even write a ebook containing a collection of devotions. If you do not know where to place them or do not want to start your own blog, try sharing them on blogs from others so that the blog can become a bigger platform, where like minded people can meet and others can find more information and more impressions about the Word of God.

There are also various ways online to host a class or workshop. For those who do work in the community already, it is only a small effort to share the preparation work with others on the net. But you also may consider of conducting a class to teach lessons just like Sunday School on the net. You can invite people to your virtual classroom and allow them to interact, give handouts, and even record your lesson.

Preaching all over the world

All those who call themselves Christian should try to do what Jesus did. They should try to get the message across through scriptures, testimonies, prayers, songs, video’s and so on.

Growing up in the love of Christ, you should feel his breath in and aspiring you. With growing years of Bible study knowledge you should be getting to know enough to be able to share, even if it was a minimum of knowledge. Those who have a gift of writing and/or teaching should use those gifts to enlighten and encourage others, around them, in their community, parish, village, town, at work on their blog or webpages.

So, do not hesitate and use your breath to proclaim Christ Jesus and show the world how it can become more peaceful, and how people who love God can find a better life in the future.

Christ and the Good News of the Gospel should be preached all over the world and then the end can come. We all should be witnesses unto Jesus, like the apostles had to be both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim, and in all Yehudand Shomeron, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

“You know what word came to be throughout all Yehuḏah, beginning from Galil after the immersion which Yoḥanan proclaimed: how Elohim did anoint יהושע {Jeshua } of Natsareth with the Set-apart Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him. “And we are witnesses of all He did, both in the country of the Yehudand in Yerushalayim, whom they even killed by hanging on a timber. “Elohim raised up this One on the third day, and let Him be seen, not to all the people, but to witnesses, those having been chosen before by Elohim – to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to witness that it is He who was appointed by Elohim to be Judge of the living and the dead. {1 Footnote: 1 See 17:31, John 5:29, Ps. 96:13, Ps. 98:9, Rev. 19:11. }“To this One all the prophets bear witness, that through His Name, everyone believing in Him does receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:37-43 The Scriptures 1998+)

“And he said, ‘The Elohim of our fathers has appointed you to know His desire, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice from His mouth. ‘Because you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. ‘And now, why do you delay? Rise up, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of יהוה.’ (Acts 22:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)

“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.1 Footnote:1See 10:22. “And this Good News of the reign shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (Matthew 24:13-14 The Scriptures 1998+)

Related articles

Jehovah’s Witness community mourns Whitney Heichel (oregonlive.com)
The gathering included references to scriptures that might lend comfort in a time of crisis, said a congregational elder, but wasn’t materially different from a regular service.It was Saturday that emotions ran high, when the congregation mourned for Heichel at an impromptu gathering at the hall. Jehovah’s Witnesses from Gresham, Portland, Sandy, and Washington met there, said Jim Vaughn, a family spokesman and one of nine elders who lead Heichel’s congregation.

My Willing Spirit (peaceandbeauty.wordpress.com)
Like Bruno, profiled in the July 15 Watchtower as one of those who offered themselves willingly in Ecuador, I want my service to Jehovah to be not dull, but filled with a variety of activities in service to him.
+
Jehovah blesses a willing spirit. I am willing and I have no doubt that he will eventually bless my desire to widen further out to visit and help preach in many other territories as well as to contribute in various other ways to his global organization and to this fascinating, never-to-be-repeated work of making disciples and all that encompasses!

My Jehovah’s Witness Weekend Showdown! (brandimbaldwin.com)
It was a gang of them (yes I said gang….they were wearing all black too, lol j/k). About 8 or 10 walking in 90-degree weather with black wool suits, full-length dresses, and Bibles in tow (I’m being a little silly). The girls thought we were playing a fun game of “freeze” or something…After a moment or so I said, “hurry up!” and we all ran up the steps and into the house. I hoped no one spotted us. I turned the tv on, set the girls up with snacks, and as soon as….and I mean As Soon As I sat down on the couch the doorbell rang!

Ten Years Behind A Bible, My Life in the Jehovah’s Witnesses (personal) (everything2.com)
I’d begun reading the Bible at the age of about ten, and the more I read (and re-read), the more disappointed I became in the state of mainstream Christian churches. So, having strayed from the Anglican Church and spent some time skirting around Christianity, I decided to look at some of the “primitive Christian” groups. I admit that I’d shied away from JWs – Dad was very opposed to them, and after a while I dug down and got his reasons. Turns out that after his father died, a cousin of his (who was a Witness) expressed her view that he wasn’t going to Heaven after all (only 144,000 were destined for that reward). She was blackballedby the family, and for many years, Dad would not even mention her name.+
Life as a JW is more than just knocking on doors, it’s about attending meetings. There are five of them (or were, maybe things have changed in the past twenty years). Firstly, there are two back-to-back meetings, usually on a Sunday. One is a public talk, given by an appointed and approved member of the congregation (although visiting elders often give this talk). The talk must be based on an approved outline, and audience members are encouraged to look up any Bible references. This is followed by the study of an article in a Watchtower magazine. Someone is appointed to read each paragraph, and an elder asks questions printed as footnotes. Audience members then answer the question. rinse repeat. Again, subtle brainwashing – over time, verbalising the approved answers has each individual “make the Truth their own”.On a side note, as if this were not enough, family heads (read “men”) are encouraged to sit and study the articles beforehand with their families, even assigning answers for each family member. Junior members are not excluded, even the wee ones are involved in this process.

It takes a village to build a kingdom (gosanangelo.com)
Several years ago, the four congregations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses cq in San Angelo had a dream of building a new Kingdom Hall.
+
Known formally as the Salon Del Reino De Los Testigos De Jehova/the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it sits on three acres across from Shannon Health System’s St. John’s Campus and next door to the Quicksand Golf Course.
+
The Kingdom Hall was built in less than three weeks, thanks to hundreds of volunteers who descended on the work site as part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Regional Building Committee. People came from Abilene, Odessa, Borger, Alpine, Lubbock and Amarillo, as well as parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma, working with members of the local congregations.

Jehovah’s Witnesses convention kicks off on high note (observer.org.sz)
“The Bible’s depth is much deeper than any other tool we could ever come across. It provides every detail and leaves no questions raised.”
+
Despite the damp and cold weather conditions, about 3 500 people including both adults and children attended the morning session. These thousands of people were not discouraged by the weather as they continued to follow and listen attentively throughout the programme.

God gives us a lot of answers. We may be happy He is willing to guide us. He also sheds light unto that what we do have to know.

We do have to have a vision and show others what we do believe. We have to share our faith.

A happy carnival atmosphere at the climate camp in the city 2009

We do have to be concerned about others and have to care more about our people than anyone else, because we are called by Jesus to love people. It is not just because we do have to love others that we do take care of them. No, it is because we want to share the love of God with them. When people are cared for, they care for the things you care for, even more so than you ever could. We have a lot of different encounters in life good, bad, awkward, but there’s nothing better in life than what happens as a result of a God encounter. And we should make use of that, to meet others and show them the result of our experiences with God.

We live in a time where people are not interested in God as such, but many are looking for something they do not know or do not understand. The meaning of life is still something what brings a lot of minds working and questioning. It are the searching souls that we can bring into action to look for a God encounter. There is no better time to pick up our cross and our burden for the city.

Some may think we aren’t called to just preach. Jesus has given the major task to his followers to go out in the world and to let the Good News be known wherever they go. We also as followers of Christ Jesus should let others know that marvellous Good News. Faith is also about doing what God has called you to do. He called Jesus to have the Name of the Creator be known all over the world. And Jesus, willing to preach to every one who wanted to listen, called those listeners to the same task. As such we as Christians follow up the work Jesus has done nearly two thousand years ago.

It takes faith in order to speak with others about the faith, to give them more information about the Word of God and about the Kingdom of God. Talking to others about God, His Laws, His son we can expand the ministry.

God doesn’t give us the perfect people for a perfect team. He gives us people to build up. And we should be happy that we with our shortages can create an appetite to bring all the flaws together to make a pleasant dish. Though it might be difficult we should allow our selves to be humble and to get discipled by our brothers and sisters in the community. All together should make ‘one unit’ in Christ.

Meeting with each other trying to make ‘church’ we should understand that everything needs time and that we have to be patient enough to let everything grow and fall into its right place. When the moment comes to make choices for who is going to do what, everybody should be prepared to be humble enough and to be willing to give all his or her power to build up the community. Just as Paul had Timothy come alongside and help in ministry we should do the same. The person who thinks he is in charge should not think he is losing his job by delegating. It means he begins to train and equip those around him.

To build up the ecclesia all have to form one team. Choices shall have to be made, like looking for the person who has the right capacity, the character and who has the talents.

Ministry is much more than pulpit time. It is all about doing life together, that’s where discipleship happens. In life. When a person is picked or an action is proposed it should also be possible to ask others what they say about them.

Talent never trumps character when picking an heir. Leaders that live out their walk 24/7 have to be raise up. We have to have a shallow leadership pool, one that anyone can dive into. By constructing our ecclesia we do have to be willing also to construct an ark. Remembering that we might be amateurs, but willing to be under the leadership of a Masterbuilder. Day in day out looking for the hand of God on our students. It’s not their talents that will get them anywhere, it is the hand of God.

We always should be enjoying what we are doing. We don’t quit we win. Our job is to fish, not to catch. It is not up to us to change people. God makes it grow.

Whatever we try to build we must believe in what we want to do in the name of God and not in our name. The ecclesia, the event, the group should always be built on faith and prayer. In our construction-work we should continuously evangelize, and encourage our students to evangelize. Their must discipleship and everybody should be wiling to ‘pasrot’ or shepherd them.

Together we should try to grow and inspire each other. It is all about doing life together, that’s where discipleship happens. In life. and for that life we should open our minds and be ready to jump in the life of many, trying to be with them and helping them forwards.

We do know that it was terrible what happened to Christ Jesus, but his willing to die for our sins gives us hope. God showed His love to the world by giving His son. And God’s son showed his love to the world by giving his body. We should share that love and give our spirit and enthusiasm. Love will always be greater than fear, therefore we do not prefer to teach fear but the bright promise God has made of the Kingdom of God.

We do not find the need for preaching fear and do not want to instil fear. We prefer to instil love so that fear has no chance to exist. We who respect and love Jesus look further than sin. When you are so in love with Jesus, you forget to sin. Repentance is not remorse, or resolution. Our faith shall work in us by keeping up the works of faith. Jesus died and rose again so sin would have to stay in the grave. We do not mind showing the world that we now have a life hidden with Christ in God. Christ releases us to live with him and to be accepted to come before his Father as children of God, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lots of people do laugh at those who enjoy reading the old Books of Books, the Bible. Of all those books the last series bring the world Glad Tidings. In the New testament we also do find the apostle Luke his writings on the first followers of Christ. He gives us an idea what went on in the first communities of the then called sect The Way.

Of the New Testament readings the Acts of the Apostles brings before us how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome from Jew to Gentile. Luke begins and ends with his thoughts on The Kingdom of Godand gives us with the later convert Paul an idea of what beautifuls is laid in front of us.

Ministry of the Apostles, a complex multi-figure icon with a full-height image of Jesus Christ, surrounded by sectors with scenes of His disciples’ calling, ministry and martyrdom. Icon from the Yaroslavl Museum Preserve. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The man they followed, was a prophet of God who came to this world to make every thing more clear. Jesus from Nazareth wanted us to get to know the Creator in the best way we could. For this great teacher from such a small place, not only he had to go out into the world to proclaim the marvellous news of what was going to be accomplished by the Will of God. For Jeshua it was clear, those who wanted to follow him, had to recognise the Will of the Father and should have as their main aim of the preaching of the gospel.

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” (Acts 6:1-2 NIV)

As for the twelve who summoned the whole body of the disciples together, we as an ecclesia should also call each other and say, “It is not right that we should have to neglect preaching the Word of God in order to look after the accounts.” We also should take care that we can grow in the word of God and that we can be of good reputation, being both practical and spiritually-minded. As individuals but also as one community of fellow brothers and sisters we should devote ourselves whole-heartedly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

It may be alarming when we see how the world develops, but on the other hand it may be lovely that we can notice that we are nearing a special time, which has been long foretold. We also come to a time were many have lost the faith in the Word of God, and many do not want to know anything about a god, or a better way to live. Though many may put the Word of God aside we can find others who are eagerly looking for the Truth and are wiling to take time to get to know it. Those who are looking for the purpose of this life and for whom is behind it are the ones who want to take up the Bible to study it. So the Word of God can gain more and more ground. In the world we can see that the number of disciples greatly increases. As in the old times we sometimes do have to start from scratch, not finding any believer round ourselves; but by letting the fire in us shine we can be the light for others. By our enthusiasm we can spread the good feeling of this Good News.

Though most of the world might not be interested in God and His Word, the Word of the Lord continues to gain ground and increase its influence. (Acts 12:24) “Thus mightily did the Lord’s Message spread and triumph!” (Acts 19:20 Wey)

We have the responsibility to let the word of God increase. Constantly we are told that the main vehicle used to bring the gospel to others was the Word. For example we read in Acts 4 : 31 that the apostles “Spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Of those who took hold of the message it says, chapter 8 : 14 “They received the word of God.”

Having chosen to be followers of Christ we also should be “in Christ” and try to become “like Christ”. As Christians we should give ourselves to Christ Jesus and should as such belong to Him who is the word made flesh. The ramification of this is very sobering, to become part of Jesus means that our lives must be like his, enveloped in the Word. Jesus was the man who brought Gods Word close to all people, believers and non-believers, Jews and gentiles.

Jesus made it very clear we had to live according to the Spirit of the Law and therefore we should live the Word of God. Every act we do should be under the guidance of the God most High. Every word we utter should be in respect to every creation of the Almighty. The many Books God has provided to the public are not just letters on a piece of paper to the enjoyment of reading. the Words from the paper have to go into the blood of the reader. They should enter the brain and become a living part of it.

When we go out into the world we should breath the Word of God. In everything we do people should notice something special, which make the difference between a good heathen or gentile and a Christian. The gospel is preached at its best when it is being lived.

When others can look on us and say that they have been with a follower of Jesus and could witness this Jesus from long ago in the world of today. We should be able to give the others a feeling that they might have learned something of him. To do this we must allow our minds to be developed by God’s Word. The carnal mind, or the mind of the flesh is something that by nature we possess. The mind of the spirit can only be obtained by grafting into it scripture. The importance of the Word of God in our lives cannot be underestimated.

“Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things hath my hand made, and [so] all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah 66:1-2 ASV)

Jehovah should be able to see the house that we have build unto Him. Not only should we hear the word of Adonai Jehovah, the most High, and tremble at His word, we should make sure that His Word shall be known all over the world so that the Elohim Hashem Adonai may be glorified, so we can see God His joy, but also their shame.

“Hear the Word of יהוה (Jehovah), you who tremble at His Word, “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for My Name’s sake, said, ‘Let יהוה be esteemed, so that we see your joy.’ But they are put to shame.” (Isaiah 66:5 The Scriptures 1998+)

We may have the assurance that God shall look at every man who is willing to learn about the Most High God, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at Gods word.” (Isaiah 66 : 2).

The Apostle Paul says in his warning to the Ephesian elders to be watchful (Acts 20 : 32) “And now, brothers, I commit you to Elohim and to the word of His favour, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those having been set apart. (Acts 20:32 The Scriptures 1998+)

The Holy Scriptures tell us that we may be sure that we can learn from it and that those words can not only edify us but also build us up, and give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. For we as Christians should be fellow workers of Elohim, we should be the field of Elohim, the building of Elohim. (1 Corinthians 3:9)

“He who went down is also the One who went up far above all the heavens, to fill all. And He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah, until we all come to the unity of the belief and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the completeness of Messiah, so that we should no longer be children, tossed and borne about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men, in cleverness, unto the craftiness of leading astray,{1 Footnote: 15:6, also 2 Cor. 10:5, 2 Cor. 11:3-14, Gal. 1:6-9, 2 Tim. 3:1-8, 2 Tim. 4:2-4, 2 Peter 2:2-22, Jud. vv. 10-19}. but, maintaining the truth in love, we grow up in all respects into Him who is the head, Messiah, from whom the entire body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the working by which each part does its share, causes growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. So this I say, and witness in the Master, that you should no longer walk as the gentiles walk,1 in the futility of their mind, {Footnote: 11 Cor. 12:2, and Jer. 10:2}. having been darkened in their understanding, having been estranged from the life of Elohim, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, who, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecency, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Messiah, if indeed you have heard Him and were taught by Him, as truth is in יהושע (Jeshua): that you put off – with regard to your former way of life – the old man, being corrupted according to the desires of the deceit, and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the renewed man1 which was created according to Elohim, in righteousness and set-apartness of the truth. {Footnote: 1Rom. 8:1}. (Ephesians 4:10-24 The Scriptures 1998+)

There is “truth in Jesus” who brought the Word of God to us. Following the day of Christ’s vengeance the sorrows of Israel will be turned into abundant joys. All the Gentiles spared shall rejoice in her salvation. All nations will look upon the glory of God as it shines in the face of Christ, the King, and worship will be carefully and constantly attended upon by all the peoples of the earth.
Today we can take notice of what is happening in the Middle East and with great interest we look at the providences of God towards the Jews, knowing that their return to their land is a preparation for the fulfilment of much prophecy, a sign of the approach of the close of the age and Christ’s coming. “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Times coming closer to the Endtimes shall not make it easier for us, but we may be sure se shall find the blessings at the end.

“And indeed, all those wishing to live reverently in Messiah יהושע, shall be persecuted.{1 Footnote: 1Mt. 5:10}. But evil men and impostors shall go on to the worse,{1} leading astray and being led astray. {Footnote: 1Mt. 24:12, Rev. 22:11}. But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah יהושע. All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

From the moment we can get the possibility to learn the Word of God we start as babies and should be eager to learn more as a child, noticing that the Holy Scriptures, are able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The 16th verse of 2 Timothy may be translated either Every Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching or Every Scripture inspired of God is profitable for teaching, but in either case the inspiration of Scripture is assumed, the writer being content to indicate its various uses. The most important wisdom comes from the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation. In and of itself, the Bible does not save us – but it is only through the Bible that we can receive God’s truth about Jesus, and put faith in him.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is the Word of God that has then the ability to build us up, to make us wise unto salvation and save our souls. Let us take an example from the nation of Israel to illustrate these principles.

In Numbers chapter 13 the record tells us that the children of Israel came to the borders of their inheritance, Moses instructed them to select a man from each tribe to spy out the land. Ten of them brought an evil report whilst Joshua and Caleb brought a good report. In the report that the ten brought we read these words (Numbers 13 : 31) “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” In contrast to these words Caleb had said (Numbers 13 : 30) “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” We know that the congregation of Israel accepted the evil report rather than that of Joshua and Caleb. In Hebrews chapter 4 the reason for this failure is given. (Hebrews 4 : 2) “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith.” They failed to believe in the word of God, to allow it to envelope their lives and it resulted in them failing to enter the land of promise. They were not aware that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” and that all things “are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4 : 12, 13). They wanted to return to Egypt for that is where their heart was. They could remember all the fleshly things they had there (see Numbers 11 : 4 – 6) yet failed to remember the deliverance out of the house of bondage, the provision of food and water, the assurance of God’s presence in the pillar of cloud and fire. The confidence of Joshua and Caleb is seen in the words Caleb spoke to the people. “We are well able” and in chapter 14 : 8 “If the LORD delight in us, he will bring us into this land.” This belief came from a firm conviction in what God had promised he was able also to perform. There was nothing magical about their faith. Faith is developed by a reading and meditating on the Word of Life.

There are significant events in the ministry of Jesus that Matthew, Mark, and Luke include that John leaves out, including Jesus’ birth, baptism, temptation in the wilderness, the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the Ascension, demonic confrontations, and parables. But John seems to five an extra dimension on the Word which has become flesh in we do have to behold his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1 : 14). Here is the one who said “Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me), to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10 : 7).

Words have a power all their own (Photo credit: Lynne Hand)

The Messiah, Christ, the Redeemer from sin, is represented as offering himself to do God’s will (tou poiēsai to thelēma sou, the genitive articular infinitive of purpose). and when we would like to be Christ we should also bring our offering as good as we can. We also should completely surrendered to God His will.

We cannot have the deep spiritual insight that Jesus had in the Word, nevertheless, we, if we are to be part of him, must try and apply these words to our own lives. Jesus gave us the well-known parable of the sower which is recorded for us in Matthew chapter 13; Luke chapter 8. The details are well known to us, it is not only about the reception that people give to God’s Word but also of the reception they give to Him who is the Word. When Jesus is truly in our hearts then the gospel shines from us. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10 : 15).

Speaking of the disciples Jesus says in his prayer to his Father “They are not of the world … Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17 : 16, 17).

The New Testament complements the Old testament, in which the future was foretold which came to existence in the presence of Christ Jesus. From Genesis onward there was the promise of the one to come to make an end to death. In the other books many times Jesus is in the centre of the Old Writings and are about him and our salvation in him, if we are not opening our eyes to see this, the Bible will continue to remain a closed book.

Let us take courage and spend a little more time in reading and applying the word in our lives. This way we can like Joshua and Caleb be sure that the Lord will delight in us and will give us the inheritance he has promised to those that love him for we have received the word with joy.

***

“In the gospel there is an invitation to all who believe what God has promised, to share with Christ in his kingdom, glory, and joy, which invitation is given on certain conditions well defined (1 Thess. 2:12; ; Matt. 25:21faith in the things covenanted to Abraham and David, and in those taught concerning Jesus, in the Old and New Testaments; immersion into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and thenceforth a life of without which no one will be approved and promoted to the honour and glory of the kingdom ().”John Thomas. (1990; 2002). Comments from Brother Thomas (Pagina 2). Logos Publications.

Related articles

Acts 13: The Great Commission – Comparing Our Role and the Holy Spirit’s (cutpaste.typepad.com)
Acts 13 (especially vs. 13-52) beautifully describes the extension of the Kingdom of God from Judaism to “the nations” – an ‘inclusive’ movement of revolutionary, world changing proportions. This explosion of the Gospel from Jews to “the nations” is announced at Acts 1:8, which is considered the purpose statement of the entire Book of Acts: “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you …you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”This statement of Christ echoes His command at Matthew 28:19 – “Go… make disciples of all nations.” Of course, “all nations” was the explosive part of the Great Commission, as no one had really heard or considered the idea of proclaiming the Messiah of the Jews as Lord to the Gentiles.

Acts 14: Paul, Hermes & Hermeneutics (cutpaste.typepad.com)
In preaching the Gospel, Paul importantly taught Christ from the Old Testament (e.g., 13:16-25), sharing knowledgeably and skillfully how the Scriptures pointed to Christ and to that Christ accomplished. In doing this, Paul calls to mind the words of Jesus Himself: “You search the Scriptures [Old Testament] because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…” (John 5:40).

What Is Your Understanding of Biblical Discipleship?(kevinnunez.org)Biblically, discipleship is not a program but a process of becoming Christlike and being zealous to see others become disciples also.
+
Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey of obedience to Christ that spiritually transforms a person’s values and behavior and results in ministry in one’s home, church, and the world.

Reading the Signs of the End Times – Acts (naturalspirituality.wordpress.com)
To Luke (no doubt a Gentile) and still a proportionally very small group of believers (relative to all Jews and pagans) in the late 1st century, Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. They had expected “apocalypse now” and with its failure to materialize, they had some serious problems.
+
The Holy Spirit could be used as the claimed agent for introducing what otherwise seemed too much of a disjuncture – the covenant of Jehovah with Israel was envisioned as a New Covenant, for Gentiles as well as Jews, that God had promised and, just that morning was instituting. He hadinaugurated it initially by raising Jesus from the dead (2:30-32). Peter goes on with our central point by saying, “… having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear” (2:33).

Christ as Hermeneutic: Moses Wrote of Me (frted.wordpress.com)
Unlike what some modern Christians like to claim, that literalism is the principle by which we read the Old Testament, the New Testament itself gives us the clue for reading the Old Testament.

Falling Walls: A Pentecost Sermon (maryharristodd.wordpress.com)
the Spirit didn’t make the outsiders able to speak and understand the language of the church, and then bring them to the church. The Spirit empowered the insiders to speak the native languages of the outsiders, and took the church out to them.
+
Sometimes I wonder how well the presence of this congregation of Jesus’ disciples can be seen and heard. I wonder. This church house is quiet most of the week. If we park around the back, people passing might not notice it when we are here. The new construction on this end of the building is completely hidden. Folks can’t see this new development.

And Then The End Will Come (freedomarc.wordpress.com)
Around the world, prophetic people are struggling to fit what God is showing them into an eschatology that simply doesn’t work, because it is based on a false premise, and a misinterpretation of this passage of scripture, amongst others. As I say, that is because people have not approached it with a proper understanding of covenant and covenant language.

Jesus, the Centre of all History (freedomarc.wordpress.com)
And when we look at eschatology, the study of the last things, it is all about Jesus. It’s not about us, it’s not about the church, it’s not about the world – it’s about Jesus. He comes to sum everything up. It’s all about Him. He holds everything together. All the Old Covenant looks forward to Jesus. All the New Covenant looks back to Him. So every time we look at a scripture, we must interpret it through Jesus’ message and His Person. You can’t take it in isolation.
+
We read in Ephesians 3:10 ‘…that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church…’. I love that word ‘manifold’, because it means multi-coloured and multi-faceted , all expressing who God is: all expressing the wonderful wisdom of God. Being made known through… us, through the church. Being made known to whom? ‘… to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which God carried out in Christ Jesus.’

The Old Testament and Christ (pastorreeder.wordpress.com)
In St. Luke’s Gospel, the 24th Chapter, Jesus once again links His Word and His work to the Old Testament. Significantly, Jesus once again confesses and testifies that the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Him.
+
The Old Testament together mightily witnesses of the Coming One. The individual references in the Old Testament do not give the entire picture of the Messiah as do the Gospels, but they do point to Him and in Christ they find their fulfillment.
+
If we fail to see and believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures center on Jesus and are about Him and our salvation in Him, the Bible will continue to remain a closed book.

Compromising the Gospel (spiritofdiscernment.wordpress.com)
Many Christians may get offended when I highlight the disparities between the church I see today and the church that was evident in scriptures.
+
There are various brands of Christianity, or “Churchianity” to put it more correctly, today with each declaring that they have the true gospel. The naïve and the simple-minded will however declare that all churches are the same despite not understanding that there is a gulf of difference between the various versions of what they claim is the truth. Perhaps the god of this world has blinded their eyes to the truth such that they are not able to glean the fact that there is only one truth and that two or more contrary positions cannot all be truth at the same time. It is not only the preachers therefore who are compromising the gospel but the hearers also when they neglect to “test every spirit” and study the scriptures as the Bereans did when they heard Paul’s message.

Jesus, How Should I Preach? (biblicalpreaching.net)
The first phase of the process is to be loving God by sitting at Christ’s feet.
+
Then as you start planning your message, plan it prayerfully with a deep concern for them to understand, to stay engaged, to be able to follow, to feel the import and impact of the message of the text. And as you preach it, preach with the winsomeness and grace of God permeating your demeanour, because God is passionately excited about incarnating His grace and truth!

The Concept and Importance of Canonicity (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
The world in its own wisdom would never understand or seek God (Rom. 3:11) but always suppress or distort the truth in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18, 21). So Paul concluded that “the world in its wisdom did not know God” (I Cor. 1:21), and he set in sharp contrast “the words which man’s wisdom teaches” and those which “God revealed unto us through the Spirit” (I Cor. 2:10, 13).
+
God’s people must not submit to uninspired words of men. “Thus says Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the word of the prophets… speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah” (Jer. 23:16). Nor should God’s people allow their faith to be compromised by any philosophy which is “after the tradition of men… and not after Christ” (Col. 2:8). Christ Himself condemned those who “have made void the word of God because of [their] tradition” (Matt. 15:6). Human philosophy and human traditions have no place in defining the Christian faith.
+
The church cannot subsequently attribute authority to certain writings. It can simply receive them as God’s revealed word which, as such, always has been the church’s canon. Authority is inherent in those writings from the outset, and the church simply confesses this to be the case.
+
Historical evidence indicates that, even with the difficulties mentioned above, the Old and New Testament canons were substantially recognized and already established in the Christian church by the end of the second century. However, there is adequate Biblical and theological reason to believe that the canon of Scripture was essentially settled even in the earliest days of the church.

Acts 16: The Conversion of Lydia (cutpaste.typepad.com)
The Lord (not Paul or Timothy, and not even Lydia) opened Lydia’s heart (willingness, attitude, perception of truth, faith, repentance) to respond to the Gospel; as always, God did the electing, and He dispensed the gifts of faith and repentance; Paul’s job, being Christ’s ambassador, was to deliver the Gospel and teach the truth of God’s word;
+
The Good News was being extended to Gentiles and the nations! As Jesus Himself ministered to people – whether men, women, Samaritans, or whomever – so Paul and his companions ministered inclusively, in obedience to the “all nations” mandate of Christ, and to the calling of Paul as “Apostle to the Gentiles”; andLydia immediately manifested the gift of hospitality. God granted this woman faith in Christ and the Gospel, and he granted repentance; then the Spirit immediately called and empowered her to extend hospitality to Paul and Timothy, who were truly in need of it. We see also the beginnings of a life of faith, wherein Lydia was already learning to obey the commands of the Lord, as she enters a life of unity and fellowship among the believers.

We Received of His Fullness (divinityhc.wordpress.com)
Jesus Christ received of the spirit of His Father to over flow without measure and to whomsoever He wills He will give of that spirit. It is a mystery to us human that the same spirit of God was given to Christ in its fullness without limitation and yet God is not diminished in His essence and power.
+
Christ was full of the spirit of God and He was led by the same into the wilderness to face the enemy. He survived the ordeal through the spirit of God and we can too if we trust and depend on God’s spirit to show us the plans of our Father. So, we have all received of the fullness of Christ by the making of His Father through His spirit.

The Sermon Today (goldenbible.wordpress.com)
Paul went to so many places, but wherever he was, there was a thoroughness to his work, he left nothing undone in the region where he was ministering and he could say “there’s no longer any work for me here.” One of the characteristics needed for blessing in ministry, or even in our jobs, is to be thorough and to finish the work God calls us to do.

The Danger Of Traditions (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
Traditions are very important in some religions … In Roman Catholicism, tradition is placed on par with God’s Word + Protestant churches have their own traditions … To be a member of a particular denomination, one must accept its traditions
+
Traditions of men tend toward ritualism (just look at the rituals found in many religions that have no scriptural basis)
+
When traditions of men are taught on the same level as the commands of God, it leads to vain worship – Mark 7:7

Encouragement-4 (dailyousmisc.wordpress.com)
As Christians, we are called by God to encourage others. Time and again in the Scriptures we read that we are to “love the brotherhood” and with a fervent and pure spirit (1 Peter 1:22, 2:17). We are to build one another up in faith (Jude 20). We are to remind one another of the goodness and love of God (1 John 1:1-4).The expression of encouragement is always to be active. We are not merely to be an encouragement to others through our example of a virtuous life. We are to share encouragement by voicing words of encouragement and engaging in specific deeds. Encouragement is not merely something we are. It is something we do.
+
We are not called to be doomsday phrophets, pessimists, down-in-the-mouth naysayers, or condemning critics. We are called to encourage!

Acts: How the Great Commission is Done (cutpaste.typepad.com)
Luke tells us what happened after the Apostles received the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, if we want to know how the recipients of the Great Commission and direct disciples of Jesus Christ went about the Great Commission, we need to read about that in the Book of Acts.
+
We might think of the four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as the direct witness of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the Book of Acts as the skeletal depiction of the carrying out of the Great Commission, and the epistles of the NT as the meat on the bones of that skeleton.

Acts (tylersheart.wordpress.com)
Acts is, in part, an apology (or defense) on behalf of the early Christian movement vis–vis Rome. Consequently, the writer of Acts wanted to show that nothing could keep the good news about Jesus from spreading everywhere. He also demonstrates that the good news did not pose a threat to the Empire. Still, Acts is a story of origins, told in retrospect, that shows how the earliest followers came to understand who could belong to God’s people (see e.g., Acts 10 and 15).

The Gospel Part One! (randyhenri.wordpress.com)
The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. The New Testament is only completely understood when it is seen as being built upon the foundation of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, prophecies, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament. In this manner all of Old Testament history was a learning or training period to prepare the world for the arrival of Jesus Christ and His role in the plane of redemption.

The last few days we encouraged our members to spend time in the Bible this weekend, first focusing on the death of our Saviour, then celebrating how death has been defeated.

We looked at how this master teacher who could do miracles was humble to take up the work of slaves. He also never wanted his name or position exalted. For Jesus it was clear he and we always had to follow what the Father in heaven wanted, and should never haver our priorities at the first place. Jesus did not follow his own path but gave his all being in the hands of his Father. He did not follow his own judgements but God’s judgements. He always looked to what God’s ways were and how he could step in line with it and how his followers had to follow God’s ways, which should always be higher than our ways.

Christ is the Way

” יהושע said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ” (John 14:6 The Scriptures 1998+)
““Of Myself I am unable to do any matter. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own desire, but the desire of the Father who sent Me. “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. “There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. ” (John 5:30-32 The Scriptures 1998+)
“I am the good shepherd.1 And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:11-12, Heb. 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4. even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.1 Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:23, Ezek. 37:24. “Because of this the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, in order to receive it again. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:14-18 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jesus said it himself, in case he would have been sent by himself to this earth, than he would be a deceiver, and his witness would not be true, so worthless and perjury.

Jesus who was aware he only could do all those miracles because he received the blessings and the power of his Father, was willing to bring this power of his Father to the advantage of the people around him; He also wanted to share that life God had given him, with us in abundance.

Jesus as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, to make himself of no account, futile, meaningless, wilful to his Father, he esteemed the other better than himself in lowliness of mind, and did want to get the best for the other and contradictory to the world he never wanted to please himself, but he wanted to please God, his Father to whom he wanted to be obedient. He had a concern for the people around him their needs and concerns. He was willing to give his life as a ransom for them and those he even did not know. Jesus was willing to offer his body as a lamb on the slaughter table so that we could have life, and that we may have it even more abundantly so that we are enabled to bear fruit like Jesus did bear much fruit.

Luke tells us that Jesus is the real man who presented himself to God his Father and was as such the παῖς or ‘servant’ of God, in the sense in which Isaiah has spoken of the Messiah as the ‘eḇed jehovah,’ ‘servant of Jehovah (= servant of God).’ The apostle Luke presents the Christ in his bearing on the history of God’s Kingdom and of the world – as God’s Elect Servant in Whom He delighted as Isaiah predicted. In the Old Testament, to adopt a beautiful figure, the idea of the Servant of the Lord is set before us like a pyramid: at its base it is all Israel, at its central section Israel after the Spirit (the circumcised in heart), represented by David, the man after God’s own heart; while at its apex it is the ‘Elect’ Servant, the Messiah. And these three ideas, with their sequences, are presented in the third Gospel as centring in Jesus the Messiah. By the side of this pyramid is the other: the Son of Man, the Son of David, the Son of God. The Servant of the Lord of Isaiah and of Luke is the Enlightener, the Consoler, the victorious Deliverer; the Messiah or Anointed: the Prophet, the Priest, the King.

In this counsellor we find a shepherd as David. Jesus was to shoot forth the Branch of David, the other servant of God. The ‘Servant of the Lord’ in relation to Israel’s history was Kingship in Israel; the ‘Servant of the Lord’ in relation to Israel’s ritual ordinances was the Priesthood in Israel; the ‘Servant of the Lord’ in relation to prediction was the Prophetic order. But all sprang from the same fundamental idea: that of the ‘Servant of Jehovah.’

As a servant opens the door or gate for his master and the guests to this master, Jesus opens the door for us to his Master, his God and our God. Though the servant can find everything at his hands in the masters house, he does not steal and takes care that everything stays in good order.

““The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure. ““I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. ” (John 10:9-11 The Scriptures 1998+)
“even as the Son of Aḏam did not come to be served, but to serve,1 and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Footnote:1See Mark 10:45 and Isa. 49:1-7. ” (Matthew 20:28 The Scriptures 1998+)

“For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah יהושע, who, being in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a matter to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men. And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a stake. Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father. ” (Philippians 2:5-11 The Scriptures 1998+)

Though Jesus was the only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14), the Brightness of the Father’s glory (Hebrews 1:3), the Chosen (Matthew 12:18) and the Christ (Matthew 1:16) he wanted to be a Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25) and a Counselor (Isaia 9:6), Friend (John 11:1-44) and even Brother (Hebrews 2:11). Though he expressed images of the Father (Hebrews 1:3) he wanted to be a Faithful Witness of Him (Revelation 1:5), being a Holy One of God (Mark 1:24) always under the Law of the Almighty One God and bringing others under that precious Law (Matthew 27:51; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:13-15), being sure that it was not him but the Holy Spirit of his Father who would bring the followers of him his teachings to their remembrance (John 14:26).

John the Baptist declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God, the baptizer with the Holy Spirit, and the Son of God (John 1:29-34 ). As a lamb Jesus was willing to be a sacrifice and to lay down his life as a Ransom (1Timothee 2:6), becoming the new Passover (1Corinthians 5:7), and because of that his Father loves him (Ephesians 5:2; John 10:17) and has taken him as a salvation and mediator for men (Luke 2:25-30; 1Timothee 2:5).

God was willing to accept his son his offer and took the anointed up in heaven to sit at His right hand after He had raised up Jesus as the Saviour. By this Christ his action of giving himself to all humanity, as a humble servant Jesus will raise us up through His power. Jesus voluntarily yielded up his life when he knew that his suffering was completed (see John 19:30). It also implies that the divine nature of Christ was active in his resurrection: he was able to “take up” his life again, because he trusted fully in his Father.

“So when יהושע took the sour wine He said, “It has been accomplished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ” (John 19:30 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Truly, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Yet we reckoned Him stricken, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray, each one of us has turned to his own way. And יהוה has laid on Him the crookedness of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, but He did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, but He did not open His mouth. ” (Isaiah 53:4-7 The Scriptures 1998+)
“On the next day Yoḥanan saw יהושע {Jeshua} coming toward him, and said, “See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!1 Footnote: 1Mt. 1:21, Titus 2:14, 1 John 3:5 & 8. ” (John 1:29 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. ” (1 Corinthians 5:7 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your expectation perfectly upon the favour that is to be brought to you at the revelation of יהושע Messiah, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance, instead, as the One who called you is set-apart, so you also should become set-apart in all behaviour, because it has been written, “Be set-apart, for I am set-apart.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear, knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, not with what is corruptible, silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for your sakes, who through Him believe in Elohim who raised Him from the dead and gave Him esteem, so that your belief and expectation are in Elohim. ” (1 Peter 1:13-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and respect and esteem and blessing!” ” (Revelation 5:11-12 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jehovah God exalted his humble servant because he fulfilled all the works God wanted to be done on earth by him.

“For you shall not come out in haste, nor go in flight. For יהוה is going before you, and the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl is your rear guard. See, My Servant shall work wisely, He shall be exalted and lifted up and very high. As many were astonished at You – so the disfigurement beyond any man’s and His form beyond the sons of men – He shall likewise startle many nations. Sovereigns shut their mouths at Him, for what had not been recounted to them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall understand. ” (Isaiah 52:12-15 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Who has believed our report? And to whom was the arm of יהוה revealed? For He grew up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or splendour that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should desire Him – despised and rejected by men, a man of pains and knowing sickness. And as one from whom the face is hidden, being despised, and we did not consider Him. Truly, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Yet we reckoned Him stricken, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all, like sheep, went astray, each one of us has turned to his own way. And יהוה has laid on Him the crookedness of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, but He did not open His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, but He did not open His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment. And as for His generation, who considered that He shall be cut off from the land of the living? For the transgression of My people He was stricken. And He was appointed a grave with the wrong, and with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was deceit in His mouth1. Footnote: 1See 1 Peter 2:22. But יהוה was pleased to crush Him, He laid sickness on Him, that when He made Himself an offering for guilt, He would see a seed, He would prolong His days and the pleasure of יהוה prosper in His hand. He would see the result of the suffering of His life and be satisfied. Through His knowledge My righteous Servant makes many righteous, and He bears their crookednesses. Therefore I give Him a portion among the great, and He divides the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His being unto death, and He was counted with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. ” (Isaiah 53:1-12 The Scriptures 1998+)

Are you willing to tell the people around you that you know Christ Jesus? - St Peter's denial - 1660 Rembrandt (1606–1669)

In case that we are willing to give our bodies to the Work of God and be members of Christ Jesus, as members of the body of Christ we should be joined as one and be of one spirit with Christ Jesus. Be fleeing every sin because this is outside of the body and our body should be a temple of the Holy Spiritin us, which we have from God.

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were set apart, but you were declared right in the Name of the Master יהושע and by the Spirit of our Elohim. All is permitted me, but not all do profit. All is permitted me, but I shall not be under authority of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods – but Elohim shall destroy both it and them. And the body is not for whoring but for the Master, and the Master for the body. And Elohim, who raised up the Master, shall also raise us up through His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Messiah? Shall I then take the members of Messiah and make them members of a whore? Let it not be! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a whore is one body? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” And he who is joined to the Master is one spirit. Flee whoring. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits whoring sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the Dwelling Place of the Set-apart Spirit who is in you, which you have from Elohim, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price, therefore esteem Elohim in your body and in your spirit,1 which are of Elohim. Footnote: 1See 7:23, 1 Peter 1:18-19. ” (1 Corinthians 6:11-20 The Scriptures 1998+)

Also those who wanted to become big or important should know that they had first to be the lowest of all.

We ourselves should become as Christ. Being Christ does not mean that we are going to be God, as many think Jesus to be God, but it means being as the Servant Jesus, being child of the Father in heaven and being a seed in the hands of the Lord.

“In this My Father is esteemed, that you bear much fruit, and you shall be My taught ones. ” (John 15:8 The Scriptures 1998+)

Fruit is the result of developing life. Branches do not innately have that life in themselves. “The branch cannot bear fruit of itself.” Branches must always find their life in the vine. The vine, Jesus, has life.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Our Lord came to share that life with us in abundance. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Joh_10:10). His abundant life is what enables us to bear much fruit.

We should try to do as Jesus, our biggest and best example, and should strive to be simple and sincere toward all, seeking not to please and honour self, but the Lord. As Jesus has given us examples how to pray, to his Father and Our Father, and warned us to keep to the commandments having only One God, we should be careful with what and whom we associate, and be careful to honour the right person with our lips and actions, not being afraid of Christ Jesus.

As Jesus was the servant of his Father and people around him we should also be servants of the people around us and a servant for Christ and for God, faithful to the Lord, the Truth, the brethren and all with whom we have to do, not only in great matters, but also in the little things of life. We should as followers of Christ, becoming Christians have equality in love, so that we are as Brethren and sisters in Christ wanting to do things for each other, never being demanding and never having more than a master/servant relationship. We should all have the idea of equality in Christ. Secular society may not want to live up to the ideal of Christian equality, but the Christian community should certainly hold to that model. To be God’s person is not something one is in isolation from society, but it means to be Christ’s servant in community with mankind at large.

Brethren and Sisters in Christ or Christadelphians - Being one in Christ

No state, no condition of rank in life, is altogether exempt from being a servant. The King and the beggar have both their respective provinces in life; and as Solomon said, the profit of the earth is for all the King himself is served by the field.

“And the increase of the land is for all. The sovereign himself is served from the field.” (Ecclesiastes 5:9 The Scriptures 1998+)

We find God the Father speaking of Jesus the servant of God, when calling him by this name. “Behold my Servant, whom I uphold: mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth!” God has called the branch of David in righteousness, and will hold his hand, and will keep him, and give him for a Covenant of the people.

““See, My Servant whom I uphold, My Chosen One My being has delighted in! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He brings forth right-ruling to the nations. “He does not cry out, nor lifts up His voice, nor causes His voice to be heard in the street. “A crushed reed He does not break, and smoking flax He does not quench. He brings forth right-ruling in accordance with truth. “He does not become weak or crushed, until He has established right-ruling in the earth. And the coastlands wait for His Torah.” Thus said the Ěl, יהוה, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it: “I, יהוה, have called You in righteousness, and I take hold of Your hand and guard You, and give You for a covenant to a people, for a light to the gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. “I am יהוה {Jehovah}, that is My Name, and My esteem I do not give to another, nor My praise to idols. ” (Isaiah 42:1-8 The Scriptures 1998+)

Christ Jesus preaching as a servant for God, proclaiming the Word of God in a temple in Caparneum - 1878-1879 (unfinished) Maurycy Gottlieb (1856–1879)

Jesus was humbly enough to tell people all things he did, he did by the hand of God. He has been trustworthy over a small part of the world, the Land of God’s People. Are we willing to be placed as him, being a servant, responsible over a relatively few things, so we will be placed later over many things? The conduct of us as servants of others, servants of Christ and as servants of God shall be determining to enter the Kingdom of God. We also should be prepared to be ready at any moment of the day to be there to be the servant for the returning Master who was only Servant of God.

God has given us Christ on earth, so we can serve him here on earth as the representative of God. By going for Christ we can serve God, but than we cannot be a servant of the world at the same time or be dependant of material things at the same time. The person who loves his earthly life will eventually lose it forever, but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life. If any person wants to serve Christ, he should become his follower; and wherever he is, his servant will be there also. If any person serves him, the Father will honour him.

““And his master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant. You were trustworthy over a little, I shall set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ” (Matthew 25:21 The Scriptures 1998+)
““No servant is able to serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall cling to the one and despise the other. You are not able to serve Elohim and mammon.” And the Pharisees, who loved silver, also heard all this, and were sneering at Him, so He said to them, “You are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but Elohim knows your hearts, because what is highly thought of among men is an abomination in the sight of Elohim. “The Torah and the prophets are until Yoḥanan. Since then the reign of Elohim is being announced, and everyone is doing violence upon it. “And it is easier for the heaven and the earth to pass away than for one tittle of the Torah to fall. ” (Luke 16:13-17 The Scriptures 1998+)
““Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life shall lose it, and he who hates his life in this world shall preserve it for everlasting life. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me. And where I am, there My servant also shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father shall value him. ” (John 12:24-26 The Scriptures 1998+)

Trusting ourself to Divine care and the Providential overruling of all our interests for our highest welfare, we should seek not only to be pure in heart, but to repel all anxiety, all discontent, all discouragement, neither murmuring nor repine at what the Lord’s providence may permit, because “Faith can firmly trust Him, Come what may.”

Are we willing to become like Christ, a servant of God? And be willing to prepare for the coming of the greatest servant of all? Being as brides to Christ? Or do we want to be called to the marriage of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ? Willing to walk as servants in the light of Christ, being just a shadow?

““And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. “Because of this, be ready too, for the Son of Aḏam is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. “Who then is a trustworthy and wise servant, whom his master set over his household, to give them food in season? “Blessed is that servant whom his master, having come, shall find so doing. “Truly, I say to you that he shall set him over all his possessions. ” (Matthew 24:43-47 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who have been called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true words of Elohim.” ” (Revelation 19:9 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And I saw no Dwelling Place in it, for יהוה Ěl Shaddai is its Dwelling Place, and the Lamb. And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it, for the esteem of Elohim lightened it, and the Lamb is its lamp. And the gentiles, of those who are saved, shall walk in its light,1 and the sovereigns of the earth bring their esteem into it. Footnote: 1See Isa. 60:3. And its gates shall not be shut at all by day, for night shall not be there. And they shall bring the esteem and the appreciation of the gentiles into it. And there shall by no means enter into it whatever is unclean, neither anyone doing abomination and falsehood,1 but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Footnote: 1See 22:15, and 2 Thess. 2:11. ” (Revelation 21:22-27 The Scriptures 1998+)

“And I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders. And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,” (Revelation 5:11 The Scriptures 1998+)

Daily Verse: 1 Peter 1:3-4 (faithfulprovisions.com)
It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

April 11 – Judging My Brother In Opinions(lelandfleming.wordpress.com)
I have been unified with the body of Christ by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was realized through baptism into His death.
+
I should fully respect a Brother’s opinion when we are talking about opinions. Who am I to think my “opinion” is any better than somebody else’s “opinion?” Scripture legislates doctrine. Conscience legislates opinion. I must know the difference.

The Path Ahead (redeemedinstruments.com)
If we only look ahead to the future our vision is at best cloudy and obscured, at worst totally dark.
+
Throughout the Bible there is a constant theme that urges God’s people to look to their forefathers as their example; to return to the old ways when things were as they should be between God and His people. Ladies and gentlemen, there is only one place where hope is to be found, and only one Person who can give it to us. The place can be described many ways, but may I suggest that since without it we are doomed and appointed to death both individually and as a people, we may best refer to as it The Word of Life.

The Meaning of the Term “Brother” (idkh.org)
All servants who were called in the church of God are accepted to be God’s sons and daughters. (2 Cor. 6:18) and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. (Mat 23:8) But you must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers. Like what Jesus had shown, whoever does the will of the Father, and fulfill all righteousness is accepted as God’s beloved son to whom He is well pleased. (Mat. 3: 15-17)
+
Like faith, the love to a brother should be shown through actions with all truthfulness. (James 2: 15-16, 22)
+
If we can love one another like we love ourselves, not only we obey God’s greatest commandment, but peace and happiness will be felt throughout all brethren of the church of God. (Psalms 122: 8-9)

Daily Tidbits 1/13/12 – Catholic (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
The word Catholic literally means ‘on the whole’ from the Greek word καθολικός ‘katholikos’ which is a combination of the words κατά meaning “about” and όλος meaning “whole”. This word is most commonly used in reference to the Roman Catholic Church as this group feels they represent the ‘universal’ body of believers.The word Catholic is not used in Scripture but was used by early believes in reference to the ‘general’ or ‘catholic’ epistles written by James, Peter, John & Jude due to their letters being written to believers in general whereas Paul wrote to specific congregations.

The King’s Speech (thepauls.wordpress.com)
Then as I read the “I Have a Dream” speech, it dawned on me that from each section of the speech, there is hidden in it a beautiful reference to the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God and so in that sense can be said to be THE KING’S speech, for God is King over all, or rightfully so, it must be “The KING of kings Speech”.

Daily Tidbits 2/11 – Infowars (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
As believers, our war is against knowledge that comes against our King and His Kingdom.
+
we are to cause every thought to kneel in submission before the King of Kings.

AB Simpson on The Grace of Giving (riverrockchurch.com)
The subject of Christian beneficence can only have a depressing influence upon an unconsecrated audience. The truly yielded and Spirited-filled heart not only loves to give but to hear with gladness every call of obligation and know of every opportunity of spending and being spent for Him we love.

How to Avoid Being a Whited Sepulchre (sabbathsermons.com)
Many use the sentiment that God reads my heart as an escape from following God’s counsel on dressing to His glory
+
Have you read the description of a half-hearted Christian?
+
As we continue to plead for the conversion of our souls, He will give us the ability to sever our heartstrings from this world, and to set them in heavenly places.

A CUP of History for you KKIM/DDC (deweymoede.wordpress.com)
Many who truly repent are tempted to believe that they are too great sinners for Christ to pardon. That, however, is not part of their repentance; it is a sin, a very great and grievous sin, for it is undervaluing the merit of Christ’s blood; it is a denial of the truthfulness of God’s promise; it is a detracting from the grace and favour of God who sent the gospel. Such a persuasion you must labour to get rid of, for it came from Satan, and not from the Holy Spirit.

How to Forgive Easily (idkh.org)
The concept of love in the Bible is very broad. We are commanded not only to love God, fellowmen, but as well as the duties from which we were called upon.
+
The Bible says if we hate our brothers, then love is not present in us. We are liars when we say we love God but hate others. (1 John 4:20)

from “The Holy Peshitta of the Assembly of Jerusalem.”

Matthew 16: 13-20:

13 And when Yeshua came into the region of Caesarea of Philippi, he was asking his talmidim, saying: “What do men say concerning me, that I am a Son of Man?” 14 And they said: “Some say Yokhanan the Baptiser; but others, Eliyahu; and others, Yeremi’ya, or one of the prophets. “15 He said to them: “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Shimon Keipha answered and said: “You are the Anointed, the Son of the living God.” 17 Yeshua answered, and said to him: “Blessed are you, Shimon bar Yokhanan*; because flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 Also I say to you, that you are Keipha, and upon this rock, I will build my Temple, and the gates of Sheol shall not suppress it.”

19 Turning to the twelve he said*: “I will give to all of you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven and anything that you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and the thing you loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he commanded his talmidim that to men they should not say he was the Messiah.

16: 21-28:

21 From that time on, Yeshua began to make known to his talmidim that he was to go to Yerushalayim and to suffer much from the elders, and the chief priests and scribes, and he would be murdered, and that on the third day would rise up. 22 But Keipha took him and began rebuking him saying: “Far be it from you, Mari, that this should happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Keipha: “Get behind me, accuser; you are a stumbling block to me because you do not think the things of God, rather the things of the sons of men.”

24 Then Yeshua said to his talmidim: “He who wishes to follow after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow after me. 25 For, he who desires to save his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 It is necessary for the Son of Man is to come in the glory of his Father, with all his holy angels; and then he will reward every man according to his works. 28 Truly I say to you, that there are some men who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man come into his Kingdom.”

17:22-23:

22 While they were travelling in Galil, Yeshua said to them: “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of the sons of men; 23 and they will murder him; and on the third day he will rise.” And they were very saddened.

20: 17-19:

17 And Yeshua was going to go up to Yerushalayim, and he took his twelve talmidim alone on [[the side of]] the road, and said to them: 18 “Behold! We are going up to Yerushalayim; and the Son of Man will be delivered up to the chief priests and to the scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19 And they will deliver him over to the gentiles: and they will mock him, and will beat him, and will crucify him; and the third day, he will rise.”

21: 42-46:

42 Yeshua said to them: “Have you never read in the Scripture: ‘The stone that was rejected by the builders became the head of the corner; this is from the presence of Mar-Yah; and it is marvellous in our eyes’?*

43 “Therefore I say to you, that the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a people who bear fruit. 44 And whoever falls upon this stone, will be broken; and anyone it falls upon it will crush.”

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees heard his parables, they understood that he spoke against them. 46 And they wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.

26:1-5:

1 And it came to pass, that when Yeshua had finished all these sayings, he said to his talmidim: 2 “You know that after two days is Pesach; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people gathered together at the court of the high priest, who was called Qeiafa. 4 And they took counsel concerning Yeshua, so that they might take arrest him by deceit and murder him. 5 And they were saying: “Not during the festival, in case disorder should take place among the people.”

26:11-16:

11 For you will always have the poor with you; but you will not always have me. 12 But this one act, pouring the perfume on my body, she has done so as if it were for my burial. 13 Truly I say to you, that wherever this my gospel is preached, in all the world, also this thing that she did will be told as a memorial to her.”

14 Then one of the twelve, named Yudah Skariota, went to the chief priests, 15 and said to them: “What are you willing to give me, if I will deliver him to you?” And they promised him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from then on, he was seeking a chance to betray him.

26:20-25:

20 And when it was evening, he was reclining among his twelve talmidim. 21 And while they were eating, he said: “Truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me.” 22 And it made them very sad. And each of them began to say to him: “Mari, is it I?”* 23 And he answered and said: “He who dips his hand with me in the dish, that one will betray me. 24 And the Son of Man will go, as it is written concerning him. Woe to that man, by whose hand the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that man, if he had not been born.” 25 Yudah the betrayer answered and said: “Rabbi, is it I?” Yeshua said to him: “You have said it.”

26:28:

28 This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for the sake of many for the forgiveness of sins.

26:30-32:

30 And they sang Hallel*, and went out to Har-Zeitim. 31 Then Yeshua said to them: “All of you will be offended by me in this night; for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of his flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go before you into Galil.”

26: 37-39:

37 And he took Keipha and the two sons of Zavddai, and began to be sorrowful and wearied. 38 And he said to them: “There is sadness in my soul, even to death. Wait with me here, and watch with me.” 39 And he went a little ways, and fell upon his face, and prayed, and said: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass over me. However, not as I will, but as you will.”

26:48-50:

48 And Yudah the betrayer had given them a sign, saying: “It is he whom I kiss; seize him.” 49 And immediately he went to Yeshua, and said: “Shalom, Rabbi;” and kissed him. 50 And Yeshua said to him: “Is it for this reason you have come, my friend?” Then drawing near, they laid their hands on Yeshua, and seized him.

27:1-5:

1 And when it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took council against Yeshua, so that they might put him to death. 2 And they bound him, and took him and delivered him up to the governor Pilatos.

3 Then Yudah the betrayer, when he saw that Yeshua was convicted, repented. And he went and returned those thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders; 4 and said: “I have sinned, due to the fact that I have betrayed innocent blood.” And they said: “What is it to us? See to your own issues.” 5 And he threw the silver into the Temple, and leaving, he went and hanged himself.

27:9-10:

9 Then it was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet [[Zechariah]], saying: “I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the precious one, which they of the B’nai Yisrael had agreed upon;

10 and I gave them for the field of the potter, as Mar-Yah directed me.”

27:18-26:

18 For Pilatos knew that it was because of hate that they had handed over Yeshua*. 19 And while the governor was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, and said: “Have nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered very much today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they ask for Bar Abba, and to destroy Yeshua. 21 And the governor answered, and said to them: “Whom do you desire to be freed to you?” And theysaid: “Bar Abba!” 22 Pilatos said to them: “And Yeshua, who is called the Messiah, what should I do to him?” They all said: “Let him be crucified.” 23 The governor said to them: “Indeed, what evil has he committed?” And they cried out all the more, and said: “Let him be crucified.” 24 And Pilatos, when he saw that nothing was helpful, but rather that uproar was produced, he took water, and washed his hands before the crowds, and said: “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; do as you will.” 25 And all the people answered, and said: “His blood be upon us, and upon our children!” 26 Then he released Bar Abba to them; and scourged Yeshua with whips and gave him over to be crucified.

27:27-31:

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Yeshua into the Praetorium, and assembled the entire brigade against him. 28 And they stripped him, and clothed him with a purple robe*. 29 And they wove a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand, and they bowed down upon their knees before him, and they were mocking him, saying: “Hail, King of the Judeans.” 30 And they spit in his face, and took the reed, and struck him on his head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they removed the robe, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to be crucified.

27:32-54:

32 And as they went out, they found a man from Qurinya* whose name was Shimon; and they compelled him to carry his cross. 33 And they came to a place which is called Golgotha, which is interpreted The Skull. 34 And they gave him to strong vinegar drink mixed with gall. And he tasted it but did not desire to drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they were watching him there. 37 And they placed over his head the reason for his death in writing:

THIS IS YESHUA,

THE KING OF THE JUDEANS

38 And there were crucified with him two bandits, one on his right, and one on his left. 39 And those who were passing by were blaspheming against him, and were nodding their heads 40 and saying: “You who would tear down the Temple, and rebuild it in three days, deliver yourself if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross.” 41 Likewise the chief priests were mocking, along with the scribes and elders and Pharisees, 42 and they were saying: “He saved others, but his very life he is not able to save. If he is the King of Yisrael, let him come down now from the cross, so that we may see it and believe in him. 43 He trusted in God; let him save him now, if he is pleased with him, for he said: ‘I am the Son of God.’”

44 Likewise the bandits that were also crucified with him, criticised him. 45 And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land, until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour, Yeshua cried out with a loud voice and said: “Eli, Eli; why have you spared me?” 47 And some of those men that were standing there, when they heard this, said: “He calls for Eliyahu.” 48 And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and offered it to him. 49 But the rest were saying: “Let him be; let us see if Eliyahu will come to save him.”

50 And again Yeshua cried out with a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. 51 And immediately, the lintel of the Temple fell and broke into pieces; and the earth was shaken; and the rocks split. 52 And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who were sleeping arose, 53 and went out; and after his resurrection, they entered into the Holy City, and many saw them. 54 And the centurion, and those that were with him who were watching Yeshua, when they saw the earthquake and all that had occurred, became afraid, and said: “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

27:57-66:

57 And when it became evening, a rich man came from Ramatayim, whose name was a Yoseph, who was also a talmid of Yeshua. 58 This man drew near to Pilatos, and requested the body of Yeshua. And Pilatos instructed that the body be given to him. 59 And Yoseph took the body, and wrapped it in a shroud of fine linen; 60 and he laid it in his new sepulchre that had been hewn from rock. And they rolling a large boulder, they placed it against the entrance of the sepulchre, and departed: 6l And Miriam of Magdala and the other Miriam were there, who sat on the other side of the sepulchre.

62 And on the next day that was after sunset*, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together with Pilatos, 63 and said to him: “Our lord, we remember that this deceiver said, when he was alive, ‘After three days, I will arise.’ 64 Therefore, instruct that they guard the sepulchre until the third day; in case his talmidim come and steal him during the night, and say to the people that he has risen from the dead; and the last deception should become worse than the first.’” 65 Pilatos said to them: “You have guards! Go and guard it as you see fit.” 66 And they went and appointed guards by the sepulchre, and set a seal on the stone and placed the guards on watch.

Around the world, as the Jewish People commemorate their exodus from slavery inEgypt, and celebrate the saving power of the God of Israel, Believers in Yeshua (Jesus)—both Jewish and Gentile—will celebrate freedom from slavery to sin.

Weekly Torah Portion: Pesach (Passover) Week 1 (paradoxparables.justparadox.com)
God rescued Israel from Egypt and told her people to keep the festival as a remembrance of their salvation from bondage and slavery. But it was more than just a remembrance. It was also a rehearsal for something wonderful to come, an appointed time on God’s calendar.

The Rush to Wound the Feminine (newheavenonearth.wordpress.com)Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus before his death for his burial (the feminine anointed the masculine to make them a King in ancient times), and Mary Magdalene accompanied him in death and his descent to hell in the three days before he resurrected (see Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the woman at the heart of Christianity). Mary was the hidden, inner Life force energy that accompanied Yeshua in death, descent, resurrection and ascension. Mary Magdalene was the first person Christ revealed himself to and called to reveal the resurrection to the male disciples. She was the one heart and life of Yeshua.

He Says Concerning Himself “I am the Son of Elohim” (guapotg.wordpress.com)
there is an amazing Messianic Prophecy found in The Wisdom of Solomon 2:12-22
+13: He professes that the knowledge of Elohim is his: and he says concerning himself“I am the Son of Elohim” (Wisdom 2:13 HRV)In fact both Matthew and Yochanan (John) quote Yeshua as angering many by saying “I am the Son of Elohim/Eloah”:41 And likewise, the Chief Cohenim reviled Him, with the scribes and elders,42 Saying, He saved others, but Himself He cannot save. If He is the king of Yisrael, letHim now come down from this gallows, and we will believe in Him.43 He believed in Elohim, let Him deliver Him now, if He delight [in Him]: for Hesaid, I am the Son of Elohim.44 And so likewise the robbers, which were crucified with Him, reproached Him.(Mt. 27:41-44 HRV)
+15: He is heavy upon us even to behold: because his way of life is not like others, his ways are different.16: We are esteemed by him as impure: he abstained from our ways like from impurity:he blesses the ways and the end of the righteous, and he boasts that Elohim is hisfather. 17: Let us see if his words are true: and let us test him by his departure.(Wisdom 2:15-17 HRV)
+
Like Joseph the Patriarch, Yeshua was betrayed by his own for a few pieces of silver (Gen. 37:28) he was cast into “the pit” (death) and raised back up so that he might redeem his brothers, Like Joseph, Yeshua’s teaching and revelation angered his brothers, who sought to put his claims to the test by casting him into the pit (of death).
+18: For if the Righteous One is the Son of Elohim, he will receive him, and deliverhim from the hand of those who rise up against him. (Wisdom 2:18 HRV)

And both were fulfilled by Yeshua as we read in Matthew and in Yochanan (John):

43 He believed in Elohim, let Him deliver Him now, if He delight [in Him]: for Hesaid, I am the Son of Elohim.(Mt. 27:43 HRV)

The Crucifixion Week (blogginghounds.wordpress.com)
The prophecy states the Messiah would be in the belly of the earth 3 days and 3 nights. It is also written that the scriptures cannot be broken. Therefore, Yeshua MUST have been in the belly of the earth for 3 day and 3 nights to satisfy that prophecy qualifing Himself as the Messiah just as any of the other prophecy must be fulfilled.

Traditions of the Elders (guapotg.wordpress.com)
In Matthew 15:1-23 and Mark 7:1-23 there is a record of a conflict between Yeshua and a group of Pharisees. This conflict has been mischaracterized by many as a conflict between Yeshua and the Oral Law in general, rather than a typical debate of the time about the validity or invalidity of a given tradition of the Elders.

Passover the season of our unity (blogginghounds.wordpress.com)
On the eve of Passover, all Israel, as one household, sacrifices a lamb at the same time and in the same manner. Each household within Israel has one lamb, and every single person within Israel must partake on the same night.
+
The unity of the lamb for each household underscores the unity of each household, which taken together form the unity of the whole household of Israel, all marked for deliverance by the blood of the Passover lamb. This theme of unity resounds throughout our celebration of the Passover seder today. The whole family gathers around the table to retell the story.

Sfirat HaOmer. (workofheartandsoul.wordpress.com)Sfirat HaOmer[Sef-iRAT Ha-O’mer] literally means “counting of the sheaf offering”. Also known as the early harvest of or the day of first fruits [YomBikkurim]. This counting begins on the 15th of Nisan and the counting continues for 49 days leading up to Sh’avuot/Pentecost (the 50th day). This year it falls on 04/7/12 @6pm and goes until 5/27/12@6pm.

Daily Tidbits 4/7 – The Mark of YHWH (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
This is what redemption is, to bring back man to the state of Adam before he fell. This can only be done through Messiah Yahshua who is the tree of life. In the end, the man of sin is going to offer redemption through the tree of knowledge…’ye shall not surely die’, yet this is going to lead to eternal damnation. The sons of Elohim are those who are adopted and redeemed through Messiah Yahshua(Romans 8:11-39) The adversary is going to offer mankind to become one with the fallen sons of Elohim who come down from heaven offering to mix with mankind just as they did in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37).His sabbaths, His feasts are a sign that we are His people. It is His mark. What is the counterfeit? A false feast/holiday system. Christmas click here, Easter click here etc. are all counterfeits which point to the antichrist. As seen above, the mark is all about the resurrection and who’s image one chooses. The image of Messiah Yahshua who is the tree of life or the image of the beast which is the tree of knowledge. The feasts of YHWH point to Messiah. The holidays of this world system click here point to the antichrist. A deeper study of the symbology and rituals of these holidays show that death and resurrection are the main themes and ultimately the desire of man to be ‘gods’ knowing good and evil is portrayed.

Easter (littleguyintheeye.wordpress.com)
It is clear from looking at multiple Bible dictionaries that Easter is a counterfeit of the Pesach (Passover).
+
This is what Easter is. It is hopping between two opinions. It is trying mix the Pesach with spring festival customs of the heathen. It is another golden calf. Worshipping YHWH in accordance with heathen rites.
+
The name Easter derives from the goddess Eostre/Ishtar.
+
Originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honour of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover.
+
Estre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring, which deity, however, is otherwise unknown, even in the Edda…April was called easter-monadh

from “The Holy Peshitta of the Assembly of Jerusalem.”

Matthew 6:24:

24“No man is able to serve two masters, for he will either hate one and he will love the other; or he will honour one and he will treat the other with disrepute. You are not able to serve both God and money.“

12: 9-21:

9 Departing from there Yeshua came to their assembly. 10 And a certain man was there, with a hand that was withered. The man said: “Mari, I was a stone-cutter using my hands to provide food for my household; I beg of you, Yeshua, to heal me, so that I no longer walk in shame begging for food.” And they were asking him saying: “Is it lawful to heal on Shabbat?” that they might accuse him [[of wrong doing]]. 11 And he said to them: “Who among you men, having a sheep that falls into a pit on the day of Shabbat, does not grab it and lift it out? 12 Now, how much important is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do that which is good on Shabbat.” 13 Then he said to that man: “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched out his hand and it was restored like the other.

14 And the Pharisees went out taking counsel together concerning him, that they might destroy him. 15 But Yeshua knew this, and he withdrew himself from there. And large crowds followed after him and he healed all of them. 16 And he instructed them that they should not reveal him,

17 so that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, saying:

18 Behold my servant! I am pleased with my beloved, my soul rejoices.

I will place my spirit upon him; and he shall declare judgment to all the peoples.

19 He will not argue, nor be boisterous, and no man will hear his voice in the street.

20 The crushed reed he will not break and the lamp that is flickering he will not extinguish until he brings justice to victory. 21 And in his name the peoples will have hope.

24:45- 51: 45 “Who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom his master has appointed over his household, to provide to them food in due time? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing. 47 Truly I say to you, that he will appoint him over all that he possesses. 48 But if a servant, being full of wickedness, says in his heart: ‘My master will be delayed in coming;’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards; 50 the master of that servant will come in a day that he does not expect, and during an hour he does not know, 51 and will cut him in two, and will give to him his portion among the hypocrites; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“

16: 24-27:

24 Then Yeshua said to his talmidim: “He who wishes to follow after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow after me. 25 For, he who desires to save his life shall lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 It is necessary for the Son of Man is to come in the glory of his Father, with all his holy angels; and then he will reward every man according to his works.

18: 1-7:

1 At that moment the talmidim drew near to Yeshua, and said: “Who is, in fact, the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” 2 And Yeshua called a child and had him stand their midst, 3 and said: “Truly I say to you, that unless you change*, and become like children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore he who humbles himself like this child, he will be great in the Kingdom of heaven. 5 And he who receives one who is like this child in my name, he receives me. 6 Anyone who stumbles* one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone of a donkey were hung on his neck, and that he were sunk into the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses*! For it is necessary that offenses should come, but woe to the man by whose means the offenses come.

18:10-11:

10 Make sure you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say to you, that their angels in heaven are beholding at all times the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man, has come to save that which was lost.

19: 13- 15:

13 Then children drew near to him, that he might lay his hand upon them and pray. And his talmidim rebuked them. 14 But Yeshua said to them: “Allow the children to come to me, and do not hinder them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such.” 15 And he laid his hand on them, and departed from there.

19:21-26:

21 Yeshua said to him: “If you desire to obtain eternal life then you must fulfil the Torah and the Prophets.” He answered him saying: “This I (have) done.” Yeshua then said to him: “Go and sell everything that you possess and give it over to those who are without; and come, and follow me.” This word distressed the man and he was not pleased. And Yeshua said to him: “Have you not read in the Torah, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself?’ How is it that you say you have fulfilled the Torah and the Prophets, when in fact your very kinsmen, being B’nai Avraham, thirst and hunger, yet your storehouses are full? Go and sell your possessions, and give to those who are without, and you will have treasure in heaven.” 22 And upon hearing this word the young man became saddened and went away, for he had many possessions.

23 And Yeshua turned to Shimon and then said to his talmidim: “Truly I say to you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 24 And again, I say to you: It is easier for a rope to enter the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” 25 And when the talmidim heard this, they were especially amazed, saying: “Indeed, who then is able to gain life!” 26 Yeshua looked at them, and said to them: “With men this is not possible, but with God every thing is possible.”

20: 20-28:

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zavddai came to him, she and her sons; and she worshipped him, and was asking something from him. 21 And he said to her: “What do you desire?” And she said to him: “Say, that these my two sons will sit, the one on your right hand and the other on your left, in your kingdom.” 22 And Yeshua answered and said: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink of the cup, of which I am to drink? Or be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with? Or enter the place that I enter?*” They said to him: “We are able.”

23 He said to them: “You will drink my cup, and will be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with, but that you should sit at my right hand and at my left, is not mine to give, except to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard this they became angry with those two brothers. 25 And Yeshua called them, and said to them: “You know that the princes of the gentiles are their masters, and their nobles exercise authority over them. 26 Do not permit it to be this way among you. But whoever among you desires to be great, let him be a minister to you; 27 and he who desires to be first among you, let him be a servant to you; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for the sake of many.”

22:33-40:

33 And when the crowds heard this they were amazed, because of his teaching. 34 And when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together, 35 and asked one of them, who knew the Torah, to test him: 36 “Rabbi, which mitzvah is the greatest in the Torah?” 37 Yeshua said to him: “You shall love Mar-Yah your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and first mitzvah. 39 And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. 40 On these two mitzvoth hang the Torah and the Prophets.”

23: 8-12:

8 But you should not be called “my great one”; for one is your Great One, and you are all brothers. 9 And you should not call yourselves ‘father’ on earth as do these, for one is your Father, who is in heaven. 10 And you should not be called ‘leaders’ as do these, for one is your Leader, the Mshikha. Do not consider anyone such as these as your father or your leader. 11 But he who is greatest among you, let him be to you as a minister. 12 For whoever exalts himself, will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself, will be exalted.

24:45-51:

45 “Who then is that faithful and wise servant, whom his master has appointed over his household, to provide to them food in due time? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing. 47 Truly I say to you, that he will appoint him over all that he possesses. 48 But if a servant, being full of wickedness, says in his heart: ‘My master will be delayed in coming;’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards; 50 the master of that servant will come in a day that he does not expect, and during an hour he does not know, 51 and will cut him in two, and will give to him his portion among the hypocrites; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

25: 31-46:

31 And when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all his holy angels with him, then will he sit upon the throne of his glory. 32 And he will gather before him all the nations; and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will set the sheep at his right hand, and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those who are at his right: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the Kingdom that has been prepared for you from the foundations of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; 36 I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’

37 Then the tzadikim will say to him: ‘Maran, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you?’ 40 And the King will answer, and say to them: ‘Truly I say to you, that inasmuch as you have done it to one of these my least brothers, you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will also say to those that are at his left: ‘Go away from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire, which is prepared for the adversary and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you did not give me food to eat; and I was thirsty, and you did not give me drink; 43 and I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; and I was naked, and you did not clothe me; and I was sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they will also answer and say: ‘Maran, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer and say to them: ‘Truly I say to you, that inasmuch as you did not do to one of these little ones, also you did not do to me. 46 And these will leave into everlasting torment, and the tzadikim into everlasting life.’”

From the The Holy Peshitta of the Assembly of Jerusalem – Assembly of Jerusalem’s targums.

“And said unto me, You \@are\@ my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (Isaiah 49:3 KJBPNV)

“He shall see of the labor of his soul, \@and\@ shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:11 KJBPNV)

“Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you, and your fellows that sit before you: for they \@are\@ men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.” (Zechariah 3:8 KJBPNV)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:16 KJBPNV)

“By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Yahshua.” (Acts 4:30 KJBPNV)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in the Messiah Yahshua.” (Galatians 3:28 KJBPNV)

+

John 13:1-19:

1 – NOW before the feast of the passover, Jesus knew the hour had come to depart from this world to his Father. And he loved his own who were in this world, and he loved them unto the end. 2 – During supper, Satan put into the heart of Judas, son of Simon of Iscariot, to deliver him 3 – But Jesus, because he knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, 4 – He rose from supper and laid aside his robes; and he took an apron and tied it around his loins. 5 – Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples, and to wipe them with the apron which was tied around his loins. 6 – When he came to Simon Peter, Simon said to him, You, my Lord, are you going to wash my feet? 7 – Jesus answered and said to him, What I am doing, you do not know now, but later you will understand. 8 – Then Simon Peter said to him, You will never wash my feet. Jesus said to him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with me. 9 – Simon Peter said to him, Then, my Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. 10 – Jesus said to him, He who has bathed does not need except to wash his feet only, for he is already all clean; so you are all clean, but not everyone of you. 11 – For Jesus knew him who was to betray him; therefore he said, Not everyone of you is clean. 12 – When he had washed their feet, he put on his robes and sat down; and he said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? 13 – You call me, our Teacher and our Lord; and what you say is well, for I am. 14 – If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, how much more should you wash one another’s feet? 15 – For I have given you this as an example, so that just as I have done to you, you should also do. 16 – Truly, truly, I say to you, There is no servant who is greater than his master; and no apostle who is greater than he who sent him. 17 – If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 – I do not say this concerning all of you, for I know those whom I have chosen; but that the scripture might be fulfilled, He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. 19 – I tell you now before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he 20 – Truly, truly, I say to you, He who receives him whom I send, receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me. (Lamsa)

Related articles

Yeshua, his Talmidim and the Essenes (guapotg.wordpress.com)
Yeshua came to be immersed by John in the wilderness at about the age of 30 and was proclaimed by John to be the “lamb” of Isaiah 53:7 (John 1:29). Certain of John’s students then became students of Yeshua (John 1:35-51). Yeshua then began to proclaim, as John had proclaimed: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is offered.” (Matthew 3:17). Later He sent his twelve students out with the same proclamation (Matthew 10).
+
there are many important similarities between the teachings of Yeshua and those of the Essenes/Qumran community.
+
What kind of prideful, arrogant, self-righteous men hadYeshua chosen as his twelve emissaries? Are they really bickering over which of them is better than the other? The Dead Sea Scrolls offer some insight on what otherwise looks like a childish squabble thatshould be totally uncharacteristic of the kind of menYeshua would have chosen as his twelvetalmidim and emissaries (see comments to Matthew 10:2). In the Manual of Discipline we read:

“This is the rule for the session of the general membership, each man being in his proper place. The priest shall sit in the first row, the elders in the second, the rest of the people, each in his proper place…. So that each man may state his opinion to the society of the Yahad. None should interrupt the words of his comrade, speaking before his brother finishes what he has to say. Neither should anyone speak before another of higher rank.”
(Manual of Discipline 1QS 6, 8-11)

+They are to sit be[fore him] by rank. Then the [Mess]iah of Israel may en[ter], and the heads of the th[ousands of Israel] are to sit before him by rank. … all the heads of the congregation’s cl[ans], together with [their] wis[e and knowledgeable men]. Shall sit before them by rank. (1Qsa 2, 11-22)

Around the world, as the Jewish People commemorate their exodus from slavery inEgypt, and celebrate the saving power of the God of Israel, Believers in Yeshua (Jesus)—both Jewish and Gentile—will celebrate freedom from slavery to sin.

Passover the season of our unity (blogginghounds.wordpress.com)
Passover emphasizes unity, which is this “essential of the faith,” in various other ways. But unity is one of those religious terms which sound so inspiring that we’re tempted to just say them a lot and not do much about them. This temptation is heightened because we realize that doing something about unity might be demanding. The values that dominate our world today—materialism, consumerism, individualism—all undermine unity. The unity that Passover portrays requires a decrease in the very things that are constantly promoted by the surrounding culture.
+
Yeshua does not come to replace Passover, but to inhabit it.

Today, when everything is hyper-personal, when religious tradition is co-opted by individualized spirituality, it is vital to share in a story that is not just about “me”. And it’s equally vital to not just retell the story, but to help move it forward. So, ask yourself: what story am I part of? How am I playing that part in my daily life?
+
Unity doesn’t come in a kumbaya moment, but through cumulative moments of rejecting the competition for status and instead serving one another. Passover is the season of our freedom. If we pay attention to its message it can help fr

Traditions of the Elders (guapotg.wordpress.com)
“It is all KORBAN (an offering), whatever of mine might profit you”
+
Hillel was more concerned with the inner man, while Shammai was more concerned with the outer man. Hillel was concerned with the Spirit of the Law, while Shammai was more concerned with the Letter of the Law.

This Week’s Torah Portion is Mishpatim (laws)‏‏‏‏ (terri0729.wordpress.com)
describing a whole system of civil legislation such as the rights of persons, slaves and servants, lawsconcerning murder, personal injuries, offenses against property, and moral offenses.

Today these ancient codes are still relevant. The laws found here are powerful and deep, and they remain a meaningful treasure in the Word of God.

While the spirit of lawlessness causes many in society to resent rules and regulations, without a standardized code of laws, chaos and anarchy reigns and the love of many grows cold. (Matthew 24:12)
+when we pledge our allegiance to Yeshua, out of love, we also become a lifetime slave of God unto righteousness.
+
No one really likes to feel like a slave forced into involuntary servitude, like some kind of Cinderella, scrubbing the dirty floors of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters.

Peace That Passes All Understanding (newheavenonearth.wordpress.com)
I saw that we are “bifigured” as two beings (divided within: divided hearts; divided minds) that have not yet integrated: the physical being that we can see as separate skin, sexes, religions, countries and political parties, and the deeper being as the innermost heart, higher mind, soul and spirit that we can’t physically see but is our vaster, infinite, unlimited Self, and the greater truth of who we really are. It is time for us to bifigure ourselves as one integrated being, letting the ego be the faithful servant to the higher Self that we already are in our core. We are to bifigure as ONE and step into the new heaven on earth now!
+
Let us awaken to the truth that we have been manipulated by those who seek to profit or gain by human beings being in fear, war and separation. Let us rise above the thought bubbles or mind-sets of war, fear, defenses, walls, suspicion, resentment and doubts. Let us see the war-mongerers, hate-mongerers and fear-mongerers for who they are. Who has gained, profited or benefited from war? Not you and I.

Weekly Torah Portion: Pesach (Passover) Week 1 (paradoxparables.justparadox.com)
God rescued Israel from Egypt and told her people to keep the festival as a remembrance of their salvation from bondage and slavery. But it was more than just a remembrance. It was also a rehearsal for something wonderful to come, an appointed time on God’s calendar.

The Rush to Wound the Feminine (newheavenonearth.wordpress.com)Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus before his death for his burial (the feminine anointed the masculine to make them a King in ancient times), and Mary Magdalene accompanied him in death and his descent to hell in the three days before he resurrected (see Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the woman at the heart of Christianity). Mary was the hidden, inner Life force energy that accompanied Yeshua in death, descent, resurrection and ascension. Mary Magdalene was the first person Christ revealed himself to and called to reveal the resurrection to the male disciples. She was the one heart and life of Yeshua.

In the previous chapters the rampant evil in the world was described by Job (Job 24:2-24) and we have heard the speeches of Job’s friends who got to accuse him of gaining his now lost wealth by robbing the poor, withholding sustenance from the hungry and even abusing the weaker ones like widows and orphans. (Eliphaz, the most sympathetic and likely the oldest who appeals to experience for authority, in Job 22:6-9). Eliphaz urged Job to submit to obvious discipline from God, who would bless him if he would repent (Job 5:8-27). For the less sensitive Bildad it was clear that Job and his children were suffering because of his sin (Job 8:1-7). As Bildad argued from tradition, the third friend, Zophar rested on orthodox dogma and argued also that there must have been something in Job’s live that had caused all those problems.

Since neither Job nor his wife knew what had transpired between God and His adversaries, they did not know that those adversaries predicted that Job would curse God (Job 1:11; 2:5). Job at certain moments thought that there was a problem with him and God. His wife even concluded that her husband and she were suffering because God was unfair and that the presupposition that God always blesses the righteous and afflicts the wicked has proven faulty. Job called her views foolishness and did not want to curse God (Job 2:9-10) but after some time also wrongly accused God of mauling him as would a beast (Job 16:9) turning him over to wicked or perverse men, evil people (Job 16:11) using him as would an archer for target practice (Job 16:12-13) and attacking him as would a warrior or like a soldier gone mad with hate (Job 16:14). Job was sad he did not receive an answer from God who had seemed to have wronged him (Job 19:6) because he had kept to God’s Law (contrary to Eliphaz’s charge Job 22:22). He also complained that God did not pay attention and does not have fixed times for the punishment of evildoers, so that people could see that the Almighty Elohim punishes evildoers (Job 24:1,12). But he recognises the sovereignty of Jehovah over the various aspects of the universe. (Job 26:5-13) Gods knowledge goes beyond what we can see and hear (Job 26:14).

Many blame God, but for an other reason than Job did (Job 24:1) for the troubles on this earth, and has Job friends they do not seem to see the underlying factors of men’s free will. Also Job gets the feeling that his sufferings are in the Will of God, though the thought troubles him. (Job 23:14-16) He has also difficulties with ancient teachings or traditions, which or not our best sources of knowledge, according to Job. (Job 9:1-10:22) Those who brought us some sources to think about are just as mortal as we are and we always should remember that they grasped perhaps only a part of reality.Who can discover the depth of God? (Job 11:7) Job recognises that he is not inferior to others who have more luck, and that with the others their wisdom shall die as well. (Job 12:2-3, 12-22, 2425; 13:2,4, 8-11; 14:10; 15:9-11, 18-22,31-32)

For Job as for us it seems that at certain moments of trouble, wherever we go we do not seem to find God and therefore could not present our case before the Almighty. (Job 23:8-9) In Fragments from the Book of Job #2: chapters 12-20 a light is already shed on the fact that God knows the way we take. (Job 23:10) We would love to see the evil of the evil-doer come to an end, and find an end to our misery. Sometimes we may think God does not care for us and does not watches us. But God keeps an eye on the world and follows it. In the Old Testament we do find enough examples how He at certain moments came in action and reacted to situation of which He did not agree with. We can also notice how He also gave strength to the upright. At any time men’s minds and hearts are tested by the God of righteousness. Jehovah puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but He has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts. (Psalms 7:9; 11:5) “For you, O God, have proven us: you have tried us, as silver is tried.” (Psalms 66:10 KJBPNV) Remember: “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.” (Zechariah 13:8-9 ASV)

Job’s innocence cries for vindication and asks God not to hide the wrongs done to him. (Job 16:18-21) Like Job we can long for a divine helper (cf 1 John 2:1-2) today we have an advocate with the Father. This comforter is Gods son given to us to help see our ways. this is a better friend than those of Job and a real upright helper. He can plead our case by his Father. In chapter 19 of the Book Job, Fragments from the Book of Job #2: chapters 12-20, we could notice that Job believed in a living god who would vindicate his case even after his death. In the future on the earth. The dust, sand or earth mentioned is referring to the dust of the earth or to the dust of Job’s grave. (Job 19:25-27)
“For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27 KJBPNV) We may look forward to Jesus who shall return to the earth and shall look onto what people have done to each other and how they kept to the commandments of God. He shall judge the people before he hands over the Kingdomto his Father.

The 10 commandments of God – A popular image of the Tablets as rounded-off

Though Job looks at Jehovah or Yahweh Yahweh as the redeemer (Heb “goel”) of His people, the Almighty is that one who took care that somebody could speak in the name of men. He first did that with his people in Egypt. “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments:” (Exodus 6:6 ASV)
There is much speculation as to whether Job believed in the resurrection. However we note that Jesus, quoting Job’s words (Matthew 5:8) says that the meek will see God and clearly Jesus is speaking of the blessedness of those who are to be raised from the dead. (Read also: Zechariah 14:1-4,9,16; Isaiah 9:6-7;2:2-4; Matthew 24:3,36,37,44).

Looking for a kinsman-redeemer, ransom, avenge, vindicator, a “daysman” or a mediator Job looked like so many of us a means to obtain justice. That is the theme in these verses of Job 19:25-27, not resurrection, as we gather when we first read them. True justice would demand his bodily presence. Resurrection is thus implied rather than expressed. Job felt that at the resurrection he would be justified. The word flesh Hebrew basar (1320) means flesh, body, person, body, self, etc. while Job 31:14 suggests being called to account at an implied judgement .

“Behold, a day of Jehovah cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” (Zechariah 14:1-4 ASV)
“And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9 ASV)
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” (Zechariah 14:16 ASV)

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting {1} contempt. {1) Or abhorrence}” (Daniel 12:2 ASV)
“Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of {1} herbs, and the earth shall cast forth {2} the dead. {1) Or light 2) Or the shades; Heb Rephaim}” (Isaiah 26:19 ASV)
“For, behold, Jehovah cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:21 ASV)

Job sees death as certain “worms destroy this body” (Job 16:22;17:1,14,15,16), “yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 14:13-15 – resurrection Gen 13:15) indicates flesh is regenerated; Job’s redeemer is Jehovah (Isaiah 43:14-15;49:7;54:5) Some people take it from there that Jehovah would be the same person as that redeemer Jesus, but Job spoke about the Spirit who was alive in his time. Thus Job was correct when he said his redeemer “liveth” because has always been alive and people forget that Jehovah has redeemed through his servant, the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 49:6-7; Acts 5:31; Hebrews 7:25; 2 Timothy 1:10). Unfortunately, Job does not expound upon this ‘matter of the future’, and so we are left with an incomplete understanding of what he meant. However, Job is accounted righteous, and an example to follow (Ezekiel 14:14,26; James 5:11) and from that we can imagine that he is going to be one of the persons who shall also be in the coming Kingdom of God.

The sarcastic part of Job comes forward now. In Job 27: 7-23 we get Job’s summary of the erroneous arguments of his 3 friends — who urged his guilt. Job talks here as though his three ‘friends’ are trying to persuade him to fall from grace and to fulfil their words as if they were some sort of prophecy against him. Should we not recognise that it in fact not always the wicked ultimately prosper, though they may for a time. Whatever happens and how long it takes we can be sure that they will be condemned (Job 27:8). They shall not have to count on the help of God (Job 237:9-10). We nor they can be assured of passing on their prosperity to their children (Job 27:14-18). Who knows, destruction can come suddenly over the evil man (Job 27:19).

Brenton Translation
1851 by Lancelot Brenton

Job Chapter 27

Job 27:1 And Job further continued and said in his parable,
Job 27:2 [As] God lives, who has thus judge me; and the Almighty, who has embittered my soul;
Job 27:3 verily, while my breath is yet in [me], and the breath of God which remains to me is in my nostrils,
Job 27:4 my lips shall not speak evil words, neither shall my soul meditate unrighteous thoughts.

Job 27:5 Far be it from me that I should justify you till I die; for I will not let go my innocence,
Job 27:6 but keeping fast to [my] righteousness I will by no means let it go: for I am not conscious to myself of having done any thing amiss.
Job 27:7 Nay rather, but let mine enemies be as the overthrow of the ungodly, and they that rise up against me, as the destruction of transgressors.

Job 27:8 For what is the hope of the ungodly, that he holds to it? will he indeed trust in the Lord [and] be saved?
Job 27:9 Will God hear his prayer? or, when distress has come upon him,
Job 27:10 has he any confidence before him? or will [God] hear him as he calls upon him?

Job 27:11 Yet now I will tell you what is in the hand of the Lord: I will not lie concerning the things which are with the Almighty.
Job 27:12 Behold, ye all know that ye are adding vanity to vanity.
Job 27:13 This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of oppressors shall come upon them from the Almighty.
Job 27:14 And if their children be many, they shall be for slaughter: and if they grow up, they shall beg.
Job 27:15 And they that survive of him shall utterly perish, and no one shall pity their widows.
Job 27:16 Even if he should gather silver as earth, and prepare gold as clay;
Job 27:17 All these things shall the righteous gain, and the truehearted shall possess his wealth.
Job 27:18 And his house is gone like moths, and like a spider’s web.
Job 27:19 The rich man shall lie down, and shall not continue: he has opened his eyes, and he is not.
Job 27:20 Pains have come upon him as water, and darkness has carried him away by night.
Job 27:21 And a burning wind shall catch him, and he shall depart, and it shall utterly drive him out of his place.
Job 27:22 And [God] shall cast [trouble] upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
Job 27:23 He shall cause [men] to clap their hands against them, and shall hiss him out of his place.

+

Job 28:1 For there is a place for the silver, whence it comes, and a place for the gold, whence it is refined.
Job 28:2 For iron comes out of the earth, and brass is hewn out like stone.
Job 28:3 He has set a bound to darkness, and he searches out every limit: a stone [is] darkness, and the shadow of death.
Job 28:4 There is a cutting off the torrent by reason of dust: so they that forget the right way are weakened; they are removed from [among] men.
Job 28:5 [As for] the earth, out of it shall come bread: under it has been turned up as it were fire.
Job 28:6 Her stones are the place of the sapphire: and [her] dust [supplies] man with gold.

Job 28:7 [There is] a path, the fowl has not known it, neither has the eye of the vulture seen it:
Job 28:8 neither have the sons of the proud trodden it, a lion has not passed upon it.

Job 28:9 He has stretched forth his hand on the sharp [rock], and turned up mountains by the roots:
Job 28:10 and he has interrupted the whirlpools of rivers, and mine eye has seen every precious thing.
Job 28:11 And he has laid bare the depths of rivers, and has brought his power to light.
Job 28:12 But whence has wisdom been discovered? and what is the place of knowledge?
Job 28:13 A mortal has not known its way, neither indeed has it been discovered among men.
Job 28:14 The depth said, It is not in me: and the sea said, It is not with me.
Job 28:15 One shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.
Job 28:16 Neither shall it be compared with gold of Sophir, with the precious onyx and sapphire.
Job 28:17 Gold and crystal shall not be equalled to it, neither shall vessels of gold be its exchange.
Job 28:18 Coral and fine pearl shall not be mentioned: but do thou esteem wisdom above the most precious things.
Job 28:19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equalled to it; it shall not be compared with pure gold.
Job 28:20 Whence then is wisdom found? and of what kind is the place of understanding?
Job 28:21 It has escaped the notice of every man, and has been hidden from the birds of the sky.
Job 28:22 Destruction and Death said, We have heard the report of it.

Job 28:23 God has well ordered the way of it, and he knows the place of it.
Job 28:24 For he surveys the whole [earth] under heaven, knowing the things in the earth:
Job 28:25 all that he has made; the weight of the winds, the measures of the water.
Job 28:26 When he made [them], thus he saw and numbered them, and made a way for the pealing of the thunder.
Job 28:27 Then he saw it, and declared it: he prepared it [and] traced it out.
Job 28:28 And he said to man, Behold, godliness is wisdom: and to abstain from evil is understanding.

+

Job 29:1 And Job continued and said in his parable,
Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, wherein God preserved me!
Job 29:3 As when his lamp shone over my head; when by his light I walked through darkness.
Job 29:4 [As] when I steadfastly pursued my ways, when God took care of my house.
Job 29:5 When I was very fruitful, and my children were about me;
Job 29:6 when my ways were moistened with butter, and the mountains flowed for me with milk.
Job 29:7 When I went forth early in the city, and the seat was placed for me in the streets.
Job 29:8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and all the old men stood up.
Job 29:9 And the great men ceased speaking, and laid their finger on their mouth.
Job 29:10 And they that heard [me] blessed me, and their tongue clave to their throat.
Job 29:11 For the ear heard, and blessed me; and the eye saw me, and turned aside.

Job 29:12 For I saved the poor out of the hand of the oppressor, and helped the fatherless who had no helper.

Job 29:13 Let the blessing of the perishing one come upon me; yea, the mouth of the widow has blessed me.
Job 29:14 Also I put on righteousness, and clothed myself with judgment like a mantle.
Job 29:15 I was the eye of the blind, and the foot of the lame.
Job 29:16 I was the father of the helpless; and I searched out the cause which I knew not.
Job 29:17 And I broke the jaw-teeth of the unrighteous; I plucked the spoil out of the midst of their teeth.
Job 29:18 And I said, My age shall continue as the stem of a palm-tree; I shall live a long while.
Job 29:19 [My] root was spread out by the water, and the dew would lodge on my crop.
Job 29:20 My glory was fresh in me, and by bow prospered in his hand.

Job 29:21 [Men] heard me, and gave heed, and they were silent at my counsel.
Job 29:22 At my word they spoke not again, and they were very gland whenever I spoke to them.
Job 29:23 As the thirsty earth expecting the rain, so they [waited for] my speech.
Job 29:24 Were I to laugh on them, they would not believe [it]; and the light of my face has not failed.
Job 29:25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the midst of warriors, as one comforting mourners.

+

Job 30:1 But now the youngest have laughed me to scorn, now they reprove me in [their] turn, whose fathers I set at nought; whom I did not deem worthy [to be with] my shepherd dogs.
Job 30:2 Yea, why had I the strength of their hands? for them the full term [of life] was lost.

Job 30:3 [One is] childless in want and famine, [such as] they that fled but lately the distress and misery of drought.
Job 30:4 Who compass the salt places on the sounding [shore], who had salt [herbs] for their food, and were dishonorable and of no repute, in want of every good thing; who also ate roots of trees by reason of great hunger.

Job 30:5 Thieves have risen up against me,
Job 30:6 whose houses were the caves of the rocks, who lived under the wild shrubs.
Job 30:7 They will cry out among the rustling [bushes].
Job 30:8 [They are] sons of fools and vile men, [whose] name and glory [are] quenched from off the earth.
Job 30:9 But now I am their music, and they have me for a by-word.
Job 30:10 And they stood aloof and abhorred me, and spared not to spit in my face.

Job 30:11 For he has opened his quiver and afflicted me: they also have cast off the restraint of my presence.

Job 30:12 They have risen up against [me] on the right hand of [their] offspring; they have stretched out their foot, and directed against me the ways of their destruction.
Job 30:13 My paths are ruined; for they have stripped off my raiment: he has shot at me with his weapons.

Job 30:14 And he has pleaded against me as he will: I am overwhelmed with pains.
Job 30:15 My pains return upon [me]; my hope is gone like the wind, and my safety as a cloud.
Job 30:16 Even now my life shall be poured forth upon me; and days of anguish seize me.
Job 30:17 And by night my bones are confounded; and my sinews are relaxed.
Job 30:18 With great force [my disease] has taken hold of my garment: it has compassed me as the collar of my coat.
Job 30:19 And thou hast counted me as clay; my portion in dust and ashes.
Job 30:20 And I have cried to thee, but thou hearest me not: but they stood still, and observed me.
Job 30:21 They attacked me also without mercy: thou hast scourged me with a strong hand.
Job 30:22 And thou hast put me to grief, and hast cast me away from safety.

Job 30:23 For I know that death will destroy me: for the earth is the house [appointed] for every mortal.
Job 30:24 Oh then that I might lay hands upon myself, or at least ask another, and he should do this for me.
Job 30:25 Yet I wept over every helpless man; I groaned when I saw a man in distress.
Job 30:26 But I, when I waited for good things, behold, days of evils came the more upon me.
Job 30:27 My belly boiled, and would not cease: the days of poverty prevented me.
Job 30:28 I went mourning without restraint: and I have stood and cried out in the assembly.
Job 30:29 I am become a brother of monsters, and a companion of ostriches.
Job 30:30 And my skin has been greatly blackened, and my bones are burned with heat.
Job 30:31 My harp also has been turned into mourning, and my song into my weeping.

+

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes, and I will not think upon a virgin.
Job 31:2 Now what portion has God given from above? and is there an inheritance [given] of the Mighty One from the highest?

Job 31:3 Alas! destruction to the unrighteous, and rejection to them that do iniquity.
Job 31:4 Will he not see my way, and number all my steps?
Job 31:5 But if I had gone with scorners, and if too my foot has hasted to deceit:
Job 31:6 (for I am weighed in a just balance, and the Lord knows my innocence:
Job 31:7 if my foot has turned aside out of the way, or if mine heart has followed mine eye, and if too I have touched gifts with my hands;
Job 31:8 then let me sow, and let others eat; and let me be uprooted on the earth.

Job 31:9 If my heart has gone forth after another man’s wife, and if I laid wait at her doors;
Job 31:10 then let my wife also please another, and let my children be brought low.
Job 31:11 For the rage of anger is not to be controlled, [in the case] of defiling [another] man’s wife.
Job 31:12 For it is a fire burning on every side, and whomsoever it attacks, it utterly destroys.

Job 31:13 And if too I despised the judgment of my servant or [my] handmaid, when they pleaded with me;
Job 31:14 what then shall I do if the Lord should try me? and if also he should at all visit me, can I make an answer?
Job 31:15 Were not they too formed as I also was formed in the womb? yea, we were formed in the same womb.
Job 31:16 But the helpless missed not whatever need they had, and I did not cause the eye of the widow to fail.

Job 31:17 And if too I ate my morsel alone, and did not impart [of it] to the orphan;
Job 31:18 (for I nourished [them] as a father from my youth and guided [them] from my mother’s womb.)

Job 31:19 And if too I overlooked the naked as he was perishing, and did not clothe him;
Job 31:20 and if the poor did not bless me, and their shoulders were [not] warmed with the fleece of my lambs;

Job 31:21 if I lifted my hand against an orphan, trusting that my strength was far superior [to his]:
Job 31:22 let them my shoulder start from the blade-bone, and my arm be crushed off from the elbow.
Job 31:23 For the fear of the Lord constrained me, and I cannot bear up by reason of his burden.

Job 31:24 If I made gold my treasure, and if too I trusted the precious stone;
Job 31:25 and if too I rejoiced when my wealth was abundant, and if too I laid my hand on innumerable [treasures]:
Job 31:26 (do we not see the shining sun eclipsed, and the moon waning? for they have not [power to continue]:)
Job 31:27 and if my heart was secretly deceived, and if I have laid my hand upon my mouth and kissed it:
Job 31:28 let this also then be reckoned to me as the greatest iniquity: forI [should] have lied against the Lord Most High.

Job 31:29 And if too I was glad at the fall of mine enemies, and mine heart said, Aha!
Job 31:30 let then mine ear hear my curse, and let me be a byword among my people in my affliction.

Job 31:31 And if too my handmaids have often said, Oh that we might be satisfied with his flesh; (whereas I was very kind:
Job 31:32 for the stranger did not lodge without, and my door was opened to every one that came:
Job 31:33 or if too having sinned unintentionally, I hid my sin;
Job 31:34 (for I did not stand in awe of a great multitude, so as not to declare boldly before them: ) and if too I permitted a poor man to go out of my door with an empty bosom:
Job 31:35 (Oh that I had a hearer,) and ifI had not feared the hand of the Lord; and [as to] the written charge which I had against any one,
Job 31:36 I would place [it] as a chaplet on my shoulders, and read it.
Job 31:37 And if I did not read it and return it, having taken nothing from the debtor:
Job 31:38 If at any time the land groaned against me, and if its furrows mourned together;
Job 31:39 and if I ate its strength alone without price, and if I too grieved the heart of the owner of the soil, by taking [aught] from [him]:
Job 31:40 then let the nettle come up to me instead of wheat, and a bramble instead of barley. And Job ceased speaking.

How welcome is the bringer of happiness which comes running over the mountains, the one which brings peace announcements and good news [`gospel’], which announces rescue and says against Sion: `Your God is king!

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”” (Isaiah 52:7 NIV)

Invitation to attending the annual studies and meeting day
of the Broeders in Christus (Brothers in Christ or Christadelphians)
Saturday 2 April 2011
`t Nieuwe Kerkehuis, Dalton straat, Amersfoort

Why Jesaja / Isaiah?

In Markus Jesus starts his public preaching with: “The time has been fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come nearby. Believe the Gospel and convert “(Markus 1: 15).[1] Have you here noticed that nobody asked him then `where do you have it about?’ They knew therefore obviously complete well where he aimed on.

Jesus contemporaries had indeed a very concrete expectation of that ‘evangelicon’ or gospel. They expected the reconstruction of the kingdom, which had started under David and Salomon, but to which an end had come by the exile in Babel. After the return from that was that kingdom not yet repaired. From the book Daniel they knew that it would take a long time. But the called time there, had expired and therefore they expected in their time the acting `Messiah, the promised king from the line of David, which would repair everything. The term `gospel ‘(Greek: euangelion, the good news) was also known to them. That term comes, as it happens, from the Septuaginta, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, which most of Jews used then.

The associated verb euangelizomai (evangelization or bringing good news) is found six times in the prophecy of Isaiah. And the Jews of the first century accepted that it concerned that convalescence of royalty. This had, however, to mean that the coming Messiah would dissipate the Romans from the country, and he would make their state independent. But the one who read Isaiah well, sees that it concerns in reality something very differently, as it happens, concerning the release from the power of sin and dead. And that is still much larger news than the state independence where they watched for. But during Jesus preaching few have understood this, but after his resurrection that was the message with which the apostles withdrew the world.

Title page original edition of the RSV

Christians know of course complete well that the gospel has to do with life and death. But how many do have also a clear insight where Isaiah preaching is based on? Because Isaiah is no easy book. But that message is really also for us very important, for a good term of what now exactly implies the gospel, and of what now exactly is the role of the Messiah (Greek: Christos) who’s the pin of it. Our coming study day we want to show you for this reason that message of Isaiah.

What will we do

Of course it is not possible in just a set of four studies to treat the whole book Isaiah. What we want to do, is showing you briefly what now really is the message of the prophet Isaiah, and which themes play a role in this topic. And especially which links there are all with the message of the Evangelicons, the Gospel and the rest of the New Testament. At the end of the study day every participant shall get the new book from our serial the “Books of the Bible”, within it the complete tale.

In the first study we want to outline the contexts: the political situation of the world in Isaiah’s days, against which we must read and understand the tale; but also the religious decline under the people. Not only who had become unfaithful under the treaty, but likewise under the `faithful part’, in which they were dragged more than they were aware of it. That people had a need for urgent salvation, but realised this not. Thus that had to made clear to them firstly. And that message is in the Christian world of our time still current the same.

The second study shows you how God presents himself in Isaiah as a god who comes up for whom serves Him. He summons as it were the gods of other people to show or to express what they also can do, and moreover to proclaim it in advance. However that is not possible for them, because they are but fabrications of their admirers. There with compared He puts His notice; not only that He will deliver and release His people, but also how He will do that. Because He controls the history. What happens to His people, His hand brought it over them. For this reason His people do not have to look for its well-being in its own political or military solutions, but trusting Him.

Then we show you why there was for this saving a need of a special `discharger’ or ‘releaser’. The people expected a coming `anointed’ or an ‘ointment ‘ (Hebrew: Messiah, Greek: Christos) from the house of David. But even the faithful Hizkia, who according to the writer of the book kings did not have his equal under the kings of Juda, was not well enough for this task. On the critical moment he also failed. God gave, however, a spectacular release from the power of the Assyrians, which model stands for the real release. But just then Hizkia realised and recognised that also he had firstly looked for a human solution instead of directly to trust an already God given promise.

Finally we reach then the nature of Isaiah’s message: God plan for the release from the dungeons of the largest enemy of people: death; and not from the seizure of a political world power. That victory on death would not be gained by powerful man-at-arms, but by a humble, obedient servant: God’s slave. That is the largest news on which people could put their hope. And it does not remain even there at: this liberation from the dungeon of death is there not only for the members of the old treaty people, but is also available for all nations – the goyim, the heathen – who want to convert themselves to the God of Israel.

That is perhaps still the greatest news, certainly for us! The bringer of that news is called the `vreugdebode’ = ‘delightmessenger’, literally: ‘he that brings good tidings`. The term that Isaiah uses for that good news `, is in the Hebrew bashar and in the Greek euangelion (evangelion). That term is, in this meaning, characteristic for Isaiah; and there is hardly a complete knowledge of the term `gospel ‘possible without knowledge of this context. Finally we want for this reason to illustrate that by means of a range links with the New Testament.

Topic of the day:

Isaiah the `joy messenger’ or ‘delight messenger’ of the gospel

9.45-10.30 reception

Programme

10.30 first study: The world of Jesaja/Isaiah
“Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came forth from the loins of Judah; who swear by the name of the LORD, and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.” (Isaiah 48:1 RSV)

11.30 second study: Who is such as am I?
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be.” (Isaiah 44:6-7 RSV)

12.15-13.45 occasion for conversations and warm meal.

14.00 third study: No king such as he… but nevertheless
“He trusted in the LORD the God of Israel; so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.” (2 Kings 18:5 RSV)

14.45 fourth study: Deliver from the hand of `the strong
“Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? Surely, thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.” (Isaiah 49:24-25 RSV)

15.30-15.45 pauses

15.45-16.30 common discussion and answer of questions.

16.30-18.00 occasion for conversations and bread meal.

Beside following the studies there is wide occasion for mutual conversations or personal questions to the participants and speakers. Also you are most welcome at the lecture table.

[1] “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:15 RSV)

+++

Related articles

The Gospel (allsufficientgrace.wordpress.com)
The term gospel is found ninety-nine times in the NASB and ninety-two times in the NET Bible. In the Greek New Testament, gospel is the translation of the Greek noun euangelion (occurring 76 times) “good news,” and the verb euangelizo (occurring 54 times), meaning “to bring or announce good news.” Both words are derived from the noun angelos, “messenger.” In classical Greek, an euangelos was one who brought a message of victory or other political or personal news that caused joy. In addition, euangelizomai (the middle voice form of the verb) meant “to speak as a messenger of gladness, to proclaim good news.” Further, the noun euangelion became a technical term for the message of victory, though it was also used for a political or private message that brought joy.

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Welcome at our service – Welkom op onze (Engelstalige) dienst

We invite everybody to our services by arrangement.

When no other notice is given, the service normally takes place at

the ' Aire d'Orival' Total Nivelles (E19), Hameau du Bois du Sépulchre,at the Roadway Carestel restaurant of the Total service station in Nijvel/Nivelles on the E19 Brussels-Mons-Paris Motorway.
Service will be in English.

Worship service with Breaking of the Bread (in English): Thursay night from 7.30 pm - 9pm.
Aire de Nivelles - Total service station - Nivelles/Nijvel

+

Our second place of service is
on the Motorway E40 in the direction of Liège-Brussel, in Heverlee- Leuven, close to exit 22, Texaco restaurant Cuiz'inn, in the corner at the back.

Recent Posts by us on our Brethren site: Broeders in Christus

In Gods vergeten Woord 9 Schepping 1 Scheppingsplan en Schepper and its continuation Gods vergeten Woord 10 Schepping 2 Schepper en Schepping Rudolf Rijkeboer looks at the creation and the one or ones behind it. Also at the new website “Messiah for all” is looked at the beginning of all times, because that is a very important […]

“1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was waste and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light. And there was light. […]

In Gods vergeten Woord 9 Schepping 1 Scheppingsplan en Schepper we start to look at the Supreme Divine Creator. As on the new website “Messiah for all” is told we cannot avoid looking at the total beginning of the world to understand how everything goes today and to understand who and what for Jesus Christ is […]

Traffic lights A colour-blind driver comes in front of the red light and see the upper light burning as green. He thinks it is green and continues to drive on. He then is so cross with the other drivers which come form the other direction and is mad at them, putting up his middle finger […]

For the Brothers in Christ or Christadelphians 2014 was not such a marvellous year. We encountered the problem that there was or were (a) person(s) who wanted to silence us. For some time some of our websites were even not any more available on the net. In our effort to give more people the opportunity […]

Recent Posts on: Stepping Toes

Originally posted on The Good News:The Blue Letter Bible has published a page with information taken from the whole Bible about the God we worship, Jesus Christ. Seeing all the names, titles and other attributes with which he is labeled in both the Old and New Testaments and contemplating those titles and their meaning…

Originally posted on Thinking Pacifism:Ted Grimsrud—February 2, 2015 This is the second in a series of posts. In this survey of some biblical themes looked at from an anarchistic angle, I will not be real precise in my use of “anarchistic.” I’ll be talking about a sensibility more than a full-fledged political philosophy. The…

Originally posted on Thinking Pacifism:Ted Grimsrud—January 25, 2015 [This post is a continuation of the conversation about anarchism that I have started in this blog in months past—the most recent post was “More thinking about an ‘anarchistic’ Christianity” on December 15, 2014. It’s an introduction to a series of seven or eight posts that…

The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) is based in Vienna and is an alliance seeking to turn the tide of religion inciting violence and fueling conflict, by bringing adherents of different faiths together, to overcome – through dialogue – the chasm between ‘Your God’ and ‘My God’ in […]

[this is a sample of text from the book “Living on the edge” by Jonathan Burke] Were Gnostics the original Christians? There is no evidence that Gnostics were the first Christians, or that the earliest Christians borrowed from Gnostic beliefs; Gnosticism did not even exist in the first century.[1] No Gnostic documents have been […]

How often we are confronted by people wanting to convince us that John, the evangelist, is speaking about Jesus being God. A few trinitarians will even deny the significance of the article (“the”) in Scripture phrases like John 1:1,and say that theos (θεὸς) is usually translated as “God” whether it has the article or not, […]

[this is a sample of text from the book “Living on the edge” by Jonathan Burke] Is faith rational? ‘Faith is confidence for a reason. Everyone understands faith in this sense, as applied to ordinary matters. It is the same in divine matters. There is no truth in the popular view that places faith outside […]

God is so great, that it is well worth looking for him the whole life. – Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Spanish mystic during the Catholic Reformation of 16th and 17th century Spain. Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Een meer dan Grote God om naar op zoek te gaan +++ Related articles […]

Accusations The previous weeks we got very strong reactions at certain things we said about God and His son on the net and on our replies to certain writings on the net about Jesus, God and the Christadelphians. On several websites we where accused of being a sect and of being God haters and/or Jesus […]